手早い答え
brincar は自由な遊び、jogar はゲームやスポーツ、tocar は楽器の演奏です。
確実な見分け方は、英語から訳す前に、その単語の働きを見きわめることです。
それぞれの単語の働き
brincar
to play for fun
Use brincar for free play, toys, make-believe, or joking.
jogar
to play a game or sport
Use jogar for games, matches, and sports with rules.
tocar
to play an instrument
Use tocar for producing music on an instrument.
選び方
- brincar: Choose brincar if the sentence points to free play, toys, make-believe, or joking.
- jogar: Choose jogar if the sentence points to games, matches, and sports with rules.
- tocar: Choose tocar if the sentence points to producing music on an instrument.
例文
As crianças brincam no quintal.
The children play in the backyard.
Nós jogamos futebol aos sábados.
We play soccer on Saturdays.
Ela toca violão muito bem.
She plays the guitar very well.
よくある落とし穴
Do not translate every use of “play” with brincar: Brazilian Portuguese normally says jogar futebol and tocar piano.
文脈の中で練習する
自分の実生活から文を一つ選び、二回書いてみましょう。一度はbrincarで、もう一度はjogarで。どちらも成り立ちそうなら、意味の違いを言葉にしてみましょう。