jugada

Jugada is a Spanish noun that denotes a move, play, or action within a game or sport, as well as a plan or tactic aimed at achieving an objective. It can refer to a single decisive act or to a coordinated sequence of actions during a contest. In broader usage, jugada can also mean a trick or ruse designed to influence an outcome.

Etymology and forms: Jugada comes from jugar, meaning to play, with the suffix -ada forming a noun that indicates an action or result. The term is widely used across Spanish-speaking regions, including Spain and Latin America.

Usage in sports and games: In sports journalism and conversation, a jugada describes a designed sequence or notable moment within a game, such as a goal-scoring jugada or a clever combination in chess. In chess, it refers to a move or a tactical sequence; in football, basketball, or baseball, it highlights strategy and execution. The phrase jugada maestra (masterful move) is common to praise ingenuity.

Non-sport contexts: Jugada also appears in noncompetitive settings to describe schemes or maneuvers, sometimes with a negative connotation when implying deception or manipulation, as in hacer una jugada. The term thus covers both skillful strategy and cunning antics, depending on context.

See also: The concept aligns with terms like move, play, tactic, and, in certain contexts, trick or ploy. In translations, jugada is often rendered as move or play, with jugada maestra corresponding to masterful move.