liguilla

mini-league

noun lee-GEE-yah Rare

Also means

playoff round

Usage Note

Liguilla is a diminutive of liga and refers specifically to a small round-robin competition or playoff mini-tournament, especially in Mexican football (soccer). It is not simply 'a small league' but a defined competition stage, so its meaning is more technical than its diminutive form suggests. The word is rarely used outside sports contexts.

Examples

"El equipo clasificó para la liguilla."

Natural Translation

The team qualified for the playoff round.

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