Sport and exercise (Edexcel GCSE Spanish): Revision Notes
Sport and exercise
This topic covers essential vocabulary and grammar structures you'll need when discussing sport and physical activities in Spanish. You'll learn key verbs, sports terminology, and how to express your preferences and routines.
Sport and exercise vocabulary is one of the most frequently tested topics in GCSE Spanish. Mastering this vocabulary and the associated grammar structures will help you across all four exam skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
Core vocabulary for sport and exercise
Understanding sport and exercise vocabulary is fundamental for discussing physical activities and healthy lifestyles. This vocabulary will appear frequently in your GCSE exam across all four skills.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| el deporte | sport |
| el ejercicio | exercise |
| el equipo | team, equipment |
| el partido | match |
| el/la jugador/a | player |
| el baloncesto | basketball |
| el vóleibol | volleyball |
| el ciclismo | cycling |
| la natación | swimming |
| el miembro | member |
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| el estadio | stadium |
| estar en forma | to be fit |
| pasear | to stroll, walk |
| caminar | to walk |
| correr | to run |
| jugar | to play |
| practicar | to practise |
| montar | to ride |
| las zapatillas de deporte | trainers |
| el atletismo | athletics |
Example sentences using sport vocabulary
Practice using these key vocabulary items in context to build your confidence:
Worked Example: Using Sport Vocabulary in Context
- Practico natación todos los días - I practise swimming every day
- Mi equipo favorito juega baloncesto - My favourite team plays basketball
- Llevo zapatillas de deporte nuevas - I'm wearing new trainers
- El estadio está cerca de mi casa - The stadium is near my house
Notice how each sentence demonstrates practical usage of the vocabulary in everyday contexts.
Essential irregular verbs for discussing sport
When talking about sport and exercise, you'll frequently use first person present tense verbs. Many of these are irregular, so you need to learn their special forms carefully.
The most important irregular first person verbs for sport topics are:
- hago (I do/make) - from hacer
- salgo (I go out) - from salir
- voy (I go) - from ir
- veo (I watch/see) - from ver
These verbs are essential because they help you describe your sporting activities and routines. For example, you might say "Hago ejercicio" (I do exercise) or "Voy al gimnasio" (I go to the gym).
Radical-changing verbs in sport contexts
Some verbs change their stem vowel when conjugated. The key ones for sport are:
- prefiero (I prefer) - e changes to ie
- puedo (I can) - o changes to ue
- juego (I play) - e changes to ue
- quiero (I want) - e changes to ie
These stem-changing verbs help you express preferences and abilities in sophisticated ways. Practice sentences like "Prefiero el fútbol" (I prefer football) or "Puedo nadar bien" (I can swim well) to build fluency.
Using verbs correctly with different activities
Understanding which verbs to use with specific sports is crucial for accurate communication. Different activities require different verb structures.
The verb 'juego' and the preposition 'a'
Critical Grammar Rule: When using juego (I play) with sports, you must include the preposition a before the sport name. This is one of the most common mistakes in exams!
- Juego al baloncesto - I play basketball
- Juego al vóleibol - I play volleyball
- Juego al tenis - I play tennis
Remember that a + el combines to form al. This is a common mistake area in exams, so practise this structure regularly.
Other sport verbs and their usage
Different activities use different verbs and structures. Learning these patterns will make your Spanish sound more natural:
- Hago ciclismo/atletismo/natación - I do cycling/athletics/swimming
- Voy a la piscina/al gimnasio/al estadio - I go to the pool/gym/stadium
- Monto en bicicleta/a caballo - I ride a bike/horse
Each verb has its own pattern, so learning these combinations will make your Spanish sound more natural and accurate.
Expressing time and frequency with flexible phrases
Being able to discuss when and how often you do sports is essential for creating varied and interesting responses in your exam.
Talking about past activities
- Antes practicaba... pero ahora hago... - Previously I used to practise... but now I do...
- Dejé de ir a... porque... - I stopped going to... because...
These phrases help you show progression and change in your sporting habits, which demonstrates sophisticated language use.
Expressing future intentions
- En el futuro tengo la intención de... - In the future I intend to...
- Voy a empezar... - I'm going to start...
Using future expressions shows you can manipulate different tenses and time frames, which is valuable for achieving higher grades in your exam responses.
Worked Example: Complex Time Expression
Consider this sentence: "Dejé de ir al gimnasio porque me parecía muy aburrido" - I stopped going to the gym because I found it very boring.
This demonstrates:
- Past tense usage (dejé)
- Opinion expression (me parecía)
- Justification with reasoning (porque) All combined in one sophisticated sentence.
Reading comprehension strategies
When encountering unfamiliar vocabulary in exam texts, use context clues to work out meanings. Look at the general topic and surrounding words to help you deduce unfamiliar terms.
Reading Strategy: If you see an unknown word in a text about exercise routines, consider what type of word it might be (equipment, activity, body part) and use the context to make an educated guess.
For example, the word chándal in a sports context is most likely clothing, and given the options provided (phone, tracksuit, alarm), tracksuit makes the most sense.
Translation exercise
Translation Practice Exercise
Spanish → English:
- Hago natación tres veces por semana
- Prefiero jugar al baloncesto con mis amigos
English → Spanish: 3. I go to the gym every morning 4. I can play volleyball very well
Answers:
- I do swimming three times a week
- I prefer to play basketball with my friends
- Voy al gimnasio todas las mañanas
- Puedo jugar muy bien al vóleibol
Exam tips for sport and exercise topics
Here are essential strategies for succeeding in sport and exercise questions:
- Context is key: When you encounter unfamiliar vocabulary, use surrounding words and the general topic to help determine meaning
- Learn verb patterns: Irregular first person verbs appear frequently, so memorise their forms
- Practise prepositions: Remember the a after juego and other verb-preposition combinations
- Show variety: Use different tenses and time expressions to demonstrate language range
- Be specific: Include details about frequency, preferences, and reasons to make your answers more engaging
Key Points to Remember:
- Irregular verbs like hago, voy, puedo, and juego are essential for discussing sport and exercise
- Always use a after juego when naming sports: juego al fútbol
- Context clues help you work out unfamiliar vocabulary in reading tasks
- Flexible phrases about time help you discuss past, present, and future sporting activities
- Variety in language demonstrates higher-level Spanish skills in your exam responses