<p>They have the same meaning on usual---playing football. For <code>踢球</code>'s <code>球</code> ,it is the football in general. If we must point out the difference,there is a tiny difference merely to <code>踢足球</code> is a specific(or definite) statement, that is to say, it is more concrete. 
When you make sentence or want to express play football, both of them are ok.:) </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-09-28T02:27:50.417Z
Thanks. Then even if I use `踢球`, can the people always grasp it is about soccer? And which is more popular? As to the title, sorry, that's a typo.
Blaszard
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-09-28T02:55:29.560Z
Yeah,in china people would always(though not a hundred percent but ninety-nine percent of people would) grasp it about soccer.^_^ Eh...I think 踢球 is more popular, most cause of there is no more other balls can play,so 球 is mean to be 足球. And 踢球 is more simple and abridged . It's ok,and I am glad to help you get rid of doubt.
user6453
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-09-28T01:34:50.777Z
2014-09-29T10:03:28.943Z
2014-09-29T10:03:28.943Z
user6453
<p>I'd put it like this. On a character-by-character basis, <code>踢球</code> is <code>kick-ball</code>. Therefore, <code>踢球</code> should basically mean <code>play a ball game where feet are used</code>. How many such games do you know? I, for one, only know football. That is why <code>踢球</code> will be interpreted as football. To be more specific, you add the <code>足</code>. Then, <code>踢</code> is taken as <code>play</code>, and <code>足球</code> is <code>foot-ball</code>. Similarly, I would guess <code>打球</code> is a general terms for hand-played ball games, literally <code>hit-ball</code>. Adding a character (syllable) just before <code>球</code> (e.g. <code>篮</code> for <code>basketball</code> or <code>排</code> for <code>volleyball</code>) specifies what <code>ball</code> you are <code>hit</code>ting. Then again, I'm not a native, so these suggestions need to be taken with a spoon of rice.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-09-28T20:15:08.210Z
2014-09-28T20:15:08.210Z
MickG
<p>nay guys… 踢球can be an activity of kicking any kind of balls (well?) but 踢足球is specified as playing soccer(or football, depending on if u r a british or 'murican)</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-09-30T00:29:41.440Z
2014-09-30T00:29:41.440Z
Toasted Chinese
<p>I've read the following two sentences today:</p>

<pre><code>我以前在这里踢足球
现在我在踢球
</code></pre>

<p>However, what is the difference between the <code>踢足球</code> and <code>踢球</code>? I think both means <code>playing soccer</code>, but is there any difference?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-09-29T02:47:42.043Z
I feel a bit confused about the first sentence in the example. How can someone play soccer in a car? I guess what the person meant was that he/she was playing a soccer-themed video game while inside a car.
tvk
<word-choice><word>
What is the difference between `踢足球` and `踢球`?
# What is the difference between `踢足球` and `踢球`?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-09-28)

I've read the following two sentences today:
我以前在这里踢足球
现在我在踢球

However, what is the difference between the 踢足球 and 踢球? I think both means playing soccer, but is there any difference?

**Tags:** word-choice, word

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I feel a bit confused about the first sentence in the example. How can someone play soccer in a car? I guess what the person meant was that he/she was playing a soccer-themed video game while inside a car.  

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## 3 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2014-09-28. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

They have the same meaning on usual---playing football. For `踢球`'s `球` ,it is the football in general. If we must point out the difference,there is a tiny difference merely to `踢足球` is a specific(or definite) statement, that is to say, it is more concrete.
When you make sentence or want to express play football, both of them are ok.:)

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Thanks. Then even if I use `踢球`, can the people always grasp it is about soccer? And which is more popular? As to the title, sorry, that's a typo.  
> **username_2**: Yeah,in china people would always(though not a hundred percent but ninety-nine percent of people would) grasp it about soccer.^_^ Eh...I think 踢球 is more popular, most cause of there is no more other balls can play,so 球 is mean to be 足球. And 踢球 is more simple and abridged . It's ok,and I am glad to help you get rid of doubt.  

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### Answer by username_3 on 2014-09-28. Score: 0

I'd put it like this. On a character-by-character basis, `踢球` is `kick-ball`. Therefore, `踢球` should basically mean `play a ball game where feet are used`. How many such games do you know? I, for one, only know football. That is why `踢球` will be interpreted as football. To be more specific, you add the `足`. Then, `踢` is taken as `play`, and `足球` is `foot-ball`. Similarly, I would guess `打球` is a general terms for hand-played ball games, literally `hit-ball`. Adding a character (syllable) just before `球` (e.g. `篮` for `basketball` or `排` for `volleyball`) specifies what `ball` you are `hit`ting. Then again, I'm not a native, so these suggestions need to be taken with a spoon of rice.


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### Answer by username_4 on 2014-09-30. Score: 0

nay guys… 踢球can be an activity of kicking any kind of balls (well?) but 踢足球is specified as playing soccer(or football, depending on if u r a british or 'murican)


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