Is jersey a Spanish word or an English loanword?

It is an English loanword widely adopted in Spain to mean a knit pullover. In Latin America, suéter or chompa are more common for that same garment.

How do I say sports jersey in Spanish?

Use camiseta or camiseta deportiva. In most Spanish-speaking countries, these terms clearly refer to the shirt worn by athletes during a game.

What is the plural of jersey in Spanish?

The accepted plural in Spain is jerséis (sometimes written jerseys). Both forms appear in everyday speech and print.

Spanish vocabulary · Beginner

How Do You Say Jersey in Spanish?

Written by Sofia Ramirez, Lead Spanish Curriculum Editor · Reviewed May 2026

Jersey · noun · HAIR-seh (jersey) / sweh-TEHR (suéter)

In Spain, a knit pullover is called a jersey (pronounced HAIR-seh). Across Latin America, you are more likely to hear suéter for a sweater and camiseta deportiva for a sports jersey.

HAIR-seh (Spain) / sweh-TEHR (Latin America sweater)

Me puse el jersey porque hacía frío.

I put on the jersey because it was cold.

Jersey in Spanish: Quick Reference

Below are the most common Spanish words for jersey, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.

Spanish	English	Pronunciation	Region / Register
jersey	jersey	HAIR-seh (jersey) / sweh-TEHR (suéter)	Default, widely understood
suéter	jersey		Latin America — knit pullover
camiseta	jersey		sports jersey or T-shirt
camiseta deportiva	jersey		specifically a sports jersey
chompa	jersey		Peru, Ecuador — knit sweater

How Native Speakers Use Jersey

Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.

Wearing a knit sweater

Abrígate bien, ponte el jersey antes de salir.

Bundle up — put on the sweater before you go out.

Common in Spain when referring to a warm knit pullover.

Talking about a sports jersey

Compré la camiseta oficial del equipo de fútbol.

I bought the official jersey of the soccer team.

Camiseta or camiseta deportiva is the standard way to refer to a sports jersey.

Shopping for knitwear

Este suéter de lana está muy suave.

This wool sweater is very soft.

Suéter is the preferred term for pullover sweaters throughout Latin America.

Layering clothes

Lleva una chompa debajo del abrigo.

She wears a sweater under her coat.

In Peru and Ecuador, chompa replaces both jersey and suéter.

Avoid These Mistakes When Using Jersey

Using jersey for a sports shirt in Latin America

Incorrect: Quiero comprar un jersey del Barcelona.

Correct: Quiero comprar una camiseta del Barcelona.

In Latin America, jersey is rarely used for sports apparel; camiseta or camiseta deportiva is the understood term.

Pronouncing jersey the English way in Spain

Incorrect: Pronouncing it JUR-zee in Spanish

Correct: Pronounce it HAIR-seh in Spain

Spanish borrowed the word from English but adapted the pronunciation. Saying JUR-zee will confuse native speakers.

Lock in Jersey Vocabulary with the Parrot Method

Why word lists alone don't stick

Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.

See Jersey used by native speakers

Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using jersey in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Me puse el jersey porque hacía frío. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.

Save, review, repeat, stay consistent

Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.

Common Questions About Jersey in Spanish

Is jersey a Spanish word or an English loanword?: It is an English loanword widely adopted in Spain to mean a knit pullover. In Latin America, suéter or chompa are more common for that same garment.
How do I say sports jersey in Spanish?: Use camiseta or camiseta deportiva. In most Spanish-speaking countries, these terms clearly refer to the shirt worn by athletes during a game.
What is the plural of jersey in Spanish?: The accepted plural in Spain is jerséis (sometimes written jerseys). Both forms appear in everyday speech and print.