Jugar vs. tocar
In Spanish, the English verb to play is translated into two different words: jugar and tocar. They are used in completely different situations and are never interchangeable. Understanding the context is key to using them correctly.
Jugar
A1Jugar is used when talking about playing sports, games (like board games or video games), or for the general, unstructured activity of children playing.
Los niños están jugando en el parque.
(The children are playing in the park.)
Me gusta jugar al fútbol con mis amigos.
(I like to play soccer with my friends.)
¿Quieres jugar a las cartas esta noche?
(Do you want to play cards tonight?)
Mi sobrino pasa horas jugando videojuegos.
(My nephew spends hours playing video games.)
El gato juega con un ovillo de lana.
(The cat plays with a ball of yarn.)
No se debe jugar con los sentimientos de las personas.
(You should not play with people's feelings.)
Tocar
A1Tocar is used exclusively for playing a musical instrument. Its primary meaning is to touch, which can help you remember that you physically touch an instrument to play it.
Mi hermana toca la guitarra en una banda.
(My sister plays the guitar in a band.)
Aprendí a tocar el piano cuando era muy joven.
(I learned to play the piano when I was very young.)
¿Sabes tocar la batería?
(Do you know how to play the drums?)
El músico tocó una hermosa melodía con su violín.
(The musician played a beautiful melody with his violin.)
En la orquesta, cada persona toca un instrumento diferente.
(In the orchestra, each person plays a different instrument.)
Me relaja escuchar a alguien tocar el saxofón.
(It relaxes me to listen to someone play the saxophone.)
Summary
In short, the rule is simple: use jugar for sports and games, and use tocar for musical instruments. You juegas with a ball, but you tocas a piano.