Italian · Everyday Verbs
"to play" in Italian: giocare
giocare
Note: instruments: suonare
To play (games/sports) in Italian is giocare. Io gioco a calcio means I play soccer. For instruments use suonare, not giocare.
Weekend plans
Domenica gioco a calcetto con gli amici.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce giocare
Say it
joh-KAH-reh
/dʒoˈka.re/
Giocare stresses KAH: joh-KAH-reh. Soft g. Io gioco is EE-oh JOH-koh.
"to play" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| giocare | to play (games/sport) Infinitive. | Infinitive. |
| gioco / giochi / gioca | I play / you play / he-she plays Present. | Present. |
| giocare a + game | to play + game Gioco a tennis. | Gioco a tennis. |
| suonare | to play (an instrument) Different verb. | Different verb. |
How to use giocare in real life
- 1Weekend plans
Domenica gioco a calcetto con gli amici.
Sunday I play five-a-side with friends.
Gioco a.
- 2Kids at the park
I bambini giocano vicino alla fontana.
The kids are playing near the fountain.
Giocano.
- 3Board game night
Stasera giochiamo a carte?
Shall we play cards tonight?
Giochiamo.
Mistakes English speakers make with giocare
Incorrect: Gioco il piano.
Correct: Suono il piano.
Instruments take suonare, not giocare.
Incorrect: Io giocare a basket.
Correct: Io gioco a basket.
Conjugate: gioco, not giocare after io.
Good to know
Giocare a is the sports and games workhorse. Asking giochiamo? is an easy social invite—cards, calcio, or a phone game all count.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Organizing a casual match
ChatPal
Oggi pomeriggio giochi a tennis?
Are you playing tennis this afternoon?
You
Sì, gioco alle cinque al circolo.
Yes, I play at five at the club.
ChatPal
Posso giocare con te se manca qualcuno?
Can I play with you if someone's missing?
You
Certo, vieni.
Sure, come along.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"to play" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to play" in Italian
Giocare or suonare?
Giocare for games/sports; suonare for instruments.
How do I say I play soccer?
Gioco a calcio.
We play?
Giochiamo.
Play a game on the phone?
Giocare / gioco a un gioco sul telefono.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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