Yes, ‘jugar’ is considered an irregular verb in Spanish. Although it follows some of the regular conjugation patterns seen in other -ar verbs, it does exhibit key irregularities, particularly in certain tenses and forms.
For example, in the present tense, the first-person singular (‘yo’) form is ‘juego’ instead of the expected ‘jugo.’ Similarly, in the subjunctive mood, the conjugation changes from ‘jugue’ rather than following the regular pattern. This pattern of irregularity stems from the way ‘jugar’ interacts with the vowels, where the ‘u’ changes to ‘ue’ in many of its forms, especially when it is stressed.
Understanding that ‘jugar’ is irregular is important for proper conjugation and communication in Spanish. Familiarizing oneself with these irregular forms will greatly enhance fluency and comprehension.