juego

Juego is a Spanish noun that generally means "game" or "play." It denotes structured activities with rules and objectives for entertainment, competition, or sport. The term also covers forms of gambling, as in "juegos de azar," and everyday expressions such as "juego de niños" (child’s play).

Etymology traces to Latin iocus, meaning "joke" or "play," through Old Spanish forms such as juego. The word has long been used to label activities that involve playful interaction, rule-based structure, and social participation.

Common categories include juegos de mesa (board games), videojuegos (video games), juegos de cartas (card games), and juegos de rol (role-playing games). Sports and party games may also be described with the noun "juego" in broader senses, while "juego" can refer to the act of playing itself as in phrases like "empezar a jugar."

Mechanics and design central to many juegos include players, rules, and an objective. Outcomes depend on skill, chance, or a combination of both. Designers seek clear mechanics, balance, replayability, and engaging goals. Playtesting helps refine rules, pacing, and interactions among players.

Culturally, games have a long history across civilizations and serve roles in education, social interaction, entertainment, and storytelling. In modern contexts, digital games form a major industry, and concepts such as gamification apply game elements to non-game activities.