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A2 adjective 8 min read

deportivo

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips deportivo in 30 Seconds

Explanation deportivo in your Level:

At the A1 level, you will encounter 'deportivo' mainly when talking about clothes and basic hobbies. You will learn to say 'zapatos deportivos' (sports shoes) or 'ropa deportiva' (sports clothes). The focus is on simple identification and gender agreement (o/a). You might hear it when a teacher asks you to bring your sports gear for a physical education class. It is a fundamental word for describing your daily outfit or your favorite type of car in a very basic way.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'deportivo' to describe places and events. You will learn about the 'polideportivo' (sports center) in your town and use 'deportivo' to describe people's personalities or lifestyles. You can explain that a friend is 'muy deportivo' because they like to run every morning. You also start to recognize it in media contexts, such as 'noticias deportivas' (sports news), which helps you navigate simple newspaper headlines or TV schedules.

At the B1 level, you use 'deportivo' in more complex social and institutional contexts. You can discuss the 'espíritu deportivo' (sportsmanship) shown in a match and explain why it is important. You will be able to talk about 'clubes deportivos' and their role in the community. Your vocabulary expands to include 'periodismo deportivo' and you can describe the characteristics of a 'coche deportivo' using more detailed adjectives. You understand the nuances between 'deportivo' and 'atlético'.

At the B2 level, you can use 'deportivo' in professional or technical discussions. You might talk about 'derecho deportivo' (sports law) or 'gestión deportiva' (sports management). You can participate in debates about the impact of 'eventos deportivos' on a city's economy. You are comfortable using the word in idiomatic expressions and understand its use in formal reports or academic texts about physical education and sociology. Your agreement and placement are consistently correct.

At the C1 level, you appreciate the subtle connotations of 'deportivo' in literature and high-level journalism. You can analyze the 'narrativa deportiva' and how it reflects national identity. You use the term to describe abstract concepts like 'ética deportiva' in complex ethical debates. You can distinguish between different registers, using 'deportivo' precisely in formal speeches or informal critiques of a game's 'rendimiento deportivo' (sporting performance).

At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of 'deportivo'. You can discuss the evolution of the term from its Latin roots to its modern socio-political implications. You understand its use in branding and marketing (la imagen deportiva). You can use it in highly specialized fields like 'medicina deportiva' (sports medicine) with technical accuracy. You can play with the word in creative writing, using it to evoke specific cultural atmospheres related to the 'tradición deportiva' of various Spanish-speaking regions.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

deportivo in 30 Seconds

Deportivo is a Spanish adjective meaning 'sporty' or 'relating to sports'.
It changes to deportiva, deportivos, or deportivas to match the noun.
Common uses include 'coche deportivo' (sports car) and 'ropa deportiva' (activewear).
It also refers to sportsmanship and sports-related institutions like clubs and news.

The Spanish adjective deportivo is a multifaceted term primarily used to describe anything related to sports, physical activity, or a lifestyle characterized by athletic engagement. Derived from the noun deporte (sport), it serves as the essential bridge between the concept of athletic competition and the objects, people, or attitudes that define that world. In its most literal sense, it describes physical items designed for sports. When you walk into a clothing store in Spain or Latin America, you will encounter the term frequently to distinguish between formal attire and ropa deportiva (sports clothing). This usage extends to equipment, facilities, and even footwear, where calzado deportivo refers to sneakers or trainers. Beyond the material world, deportivo describes a person's demeanor or a specific type of vehicle. A coche deportivo is a sports car, implying speed, sleek design, and high performance. When applied to a person, it suggests they are active or perhaps just dressed in a casual, athletic style.

Semantic Range: The term encompasses physical objects like balls and rackets, institutional entities like clubs or associations, and abstract concepts like sportsmanship (espíritu deportivo).

El club deportivo local tiene una piscina olímpica y tres canchas de tenis para sus socios.

In professional contexts, you will hear it in the media. Periodismo deportivo (sports journalism) is a massive industry in the Spanish-speaking world, particularly surrounding football (soccer). The word carries a positive connotation of health, vitality, and fair play. It is also used to describe events, such as a encuentro deportivo (sporting encounter/match). Understanding this word requires recognizing its gender and number agreement: deportivo, deportiva, deportivos, deportivas.

Institutional Usage: Many famous football clubs have 'Deportivo' in their official name, such as Deportivo de La Coruña, highlighting its role as a proper noun in organizational contexts.

Ella prefiere un estilo deportivo y cómodo para viajar largas distancias en avión.

Abstract Qualities: It is used to describe fair behavior, as in 'conducta deportiva' (sporting conduct/sportsmanship).

Compramos un equipo deportivo nuevo para el gimnasio de la escuela secundaria.

La sección deportiva del periódico es la más leída todos los lunes por la mañana.

Es muy deportivo; siempre está participando en maratones y torneos de fútbol local.

Using deportivo correctly involves mastering adjective-noun agreement in Spanish. Since it ends in '-o', it is a four-form adjective. You must use deportivo for masculine singular nouns (un coche deportivo), deportiva for feminine singular (una chaqueta deportiva), deportivos for masculine plural (unos zapatos deportivos), and deportivas for feminine plural (unas actividades deportivas). Placement is also key; like most descriptive adjectives in Spanish, it typically follows the noun it modifies. For example, 'a sports center' becomes un centro deportivo. If you place it before the noun, it might sound more poetic or emphasize the inherent quality, but this is rare in daily speech.

Agreement Rules: Always match the gender and number. 'Las noticias deportivas' (The sports news) uses the feminine plural form because 'noticias' is feminine plural.

Mi hermano tiene un coche deportivo rojo que es muy rápido y elegante.

Beyond physical objects, use it to describe organizations. 'The sports federation' is la federación deportiva. In sentences where 'deportivo' functions as a predicate adjective (after a verb like 'ser'), it still must agree with the subject. 'Mis primas son muy deportivas' (My cousins are very sporty).

Compound Structures: It often appears in fixed phrases like 'polideportivo' (multi-sports center) or 'periodismo deportivo'.

Necesitamos comprar ropa deportiva para la clase de educación física mañana.

El evento deportivo fue cancelado debido a la fuerte lluvia de anoche.

Los comentaristas deportivos analizaron el partido durante más de dos horas.

¿Te gusta este reloj deportivo? Tiene cronómetro y es resistente al agua.

You will hear deportivo in a variety of real-world settings, ranging from high-stakes media broadcasts to casual conversations about fashion. In the world of television and radio, 'el bloque deportivo' or 'la sección deportiva' refers to the segment of the news dedicated to sports scores and highlights. Commentators will frequently use the term 'gesta deportiva' to describe a heroic athletic feat or 'espíritu deportivo' to praise a player's integrity. If you are walking through a Spanish city, you will see signs for the Centro Deportivo Municipal (Municipal Sports Center), where locals go to swim or play paddle tennis. In the automotive industry, salesperson will highlight the línea deportiva of a new car model to emphasize its aesthetic appeal and power.

Fashion Contexts: In clothing stores like Zara or Mango, 'estilo deportivo' or 'moda deportiva' identifies the athleisure or activewear sections.

El canal de televisión tiene una programación deportiva las veinticuatro horas del día.

In schools, teachers talk about actividades deportivas as part of the extracurricular program. You might also hear it in legal or administrative contexts, such as derecho deportivo (sports law). In social settings, if someone describes a friend as 'muy deportivo', they are usually complimenting their active lifestyle or their tendency to wear casual, athletic clothes.

News Media: Newspapers like 'Marca' or 'AS' are called 'diarios deportivos' because they focus exclusively on sports.

La ciudad construyó un nuevo complejo deportivo para los Juegos Panamericanos.

Ella tiene una actitud muy deportiva ante los desafíos de la vida cotidiana.

El director deportivo del equipo anunció el fichaje de tres nuevos jugadores.

¿Has leído la crónica deportiva sobre la final de la Champions League?

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is using deportivo when they should use the noun deporte or the noun for an athlete, deportista. Remember that deportivo is an adjective. You cannot say 'Él es un deportivo' to mean 'He is an athlete'; you must say 'Él es un deportista'. Another common error is failing to apply gender agreement. Students often say 'ropa deportivo' instead of the correct ropa deportiva. Because 'ropa' is feminine, the adjective must match.

Confusion with 'Deportista': 'Deportista' is a noun/adjective for a person (gender-neutral ending in -a). 'Deportivo' describes things or qualities related to sport.

Incorrecto: Me gusta jugar deportivo. Correcto: Me gusta hacer deporte.

Misusing 'deportivo' to describe a person's skill level is also common. To say someone is 'athletic' in terms of their physical build, atlético is often a better choice, whereas deportivo refers more to their interests or style. Additionally, don't confuse deportivo with deportado (deported), which is a false cognate in some contexts.

False Cognate Alert: Do not confuse 'deportivo' with 'sporty' in the sense of 'jovial' or 'mocking'. In Spanish, it stays strictly in the realm of athletics.

Incorrecto: Ella es muy deportivo. Correcto: Ella es muy deportiva.

Incorrecto: El club deportista. Correcto: El club deportivo.

Incorrecto: Zapatos deportiva. Correcto: Zapatos deportivos.

Incorrecto: Una noticia deportivo. Correcto: Una noticia deportiva.

While deportivo is the most common adjective for 'sporty', several alternatives exist depending on the context. Atlético focuses on physical strength and build. Gimnástico is used for things specifically relating to gymnastics or formal exercise. Competitivo might be used if you are emphasizing the nature of the sport rather than the sport itself.

Deportivo vs. Atlético: Use 'deportivo' for things (clothes, cars, clubs) and 'atlético' for body types or specific track and field sports.

Él tiene un cuerpo atlético porque entrena en el gimnasio cinco días a la semana.

Another alternative for 'sporty' in the sense of 'active' is activo or dinámico. If you are talking about shoes, you might use zapatillas or tenis instead of calzado deportivo. For clothes, ropa de entrenamiento (training clothes) is a more specific alternative.

Contextual Choice: Use 'recreativo' if the activity is just for fun and not necessarily a formal sport.

El centro recreativo ofrece clases de yoga y baile para los vecinos.

Su estilo es muy informal, casi siempre lleva sudaderas y pantalones de chándal.

La actividad física es fundamental para mantener una buena salud mental.

Necesitamos un enfoque más dinámico para resolver este problema en el equipo.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word 'deporte' originally meant 'diversion' or 'leisure' because it was seen as a way to carry oneself away from the stresses of daily work.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /de.poɾ.ˈti.βo/

US /de.poɾ.ˈti.βo/

The stress is on the penultimate syllable: de-por-TI-vo.

Rhymes With

vivo cultivo activo objetivo punitivo festivo esquivo narcisivo

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'v' like an English 'v' instead of a soft 'b'.
Aspirating the 'p' and 't' sounds.
Using an American 'r' sound.
Stressing the wrong syllable.
Not matching the gender ending.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize due to 'deport' root.

Writing 3/5

Requires attention to gender/number agreement.

Speaking 3/5

Soft 'd' and 'v/b' sounds need practice.

Listening 2/5

Common in news and daily life.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

deporte coche ropa zapatos club

Learn Next

deportista entrenar competir ganar perder

Advanced

deportividad federación fisioterapia patrocinio rendimiento

Grammar to Know

Adjective-Noun Agreement

La ropa deportiva (feminine singular).

Adjective Placement

El coche deportivo (after the noun).

Pluralization of Adjectives

Los zapatos deportivos (add -s).

Predicate Adjectives with Ser

Ellas son deportivas.

Adjectives as Nouns

Las deportivas (meaning sneakers).

Examples by Level

Tengo zapatos deportivos nuevos.

I have new sports shoes.

Masculine plural agreement.

Ella usa ropa deportiva.

She wears sports clothes.

Feminine singular agreement.

Es un coche deportivo rojo.

It is a red sports car.

Adjective follows the noun.

Me gusta el estilo deportivo.

I like the sporty style.

Article 'el' matches 'estilo'.

El niño es muy deportivo.

The boy is very sporty.

Predicate adjective.

Compro una chaqueta deportiva.

I buy a sports jacket.

Feminine singular.

Tus pantalones son deportivos.

Your pants are sporty.

Masculine plural.

Vamos al club deportivo.

Let's go to the sports club.

Contraction 'al' (a + el).

Vemos las noticias deportivas.

We watch the sports news.

Feminine plural.

El centro deportivo está cerca.

The sports center is nearby.

Noun-adjective pair.

Hacemos muchas actividades deportivas.

We do many sports activities.

Agreement with 'actividades'.

Él prefiere un reloj deportivo.

He prefers a sports watch.

Masculine singular.

La liga deportiva empieza hoy.

The sports league starts today.

Feminine singular.

Ellos son muy deportivos.

They are very sporty.

Masculine plural subject.

Busco una bolsa deportiva.

I'm looking for a sports bag.

Feminine singular.

El evento deportivo fue divertido.

The sporting event was fun.

Masculine singular.

El espíritu deportivo es esencial.

Sportsmanship is essential.

Abstract usage.

Lee el diario deportivo cada día.

He reads the sports newspaper every day.

Specific noun 'diario'.

La federación deportiva anunció cambios.

The sports federation announced changes.

Institutional usage.

Es un gran complejo deportivo.

It is a great sports complex.

Masculine singular.

Su conducta deportiva fue ejemplar.

His sporting conduct was exemplary.

Feminine singular.

El periodismo deportivo es su pasión.

Sports journalism is his passion.

Professional field.

Participamos en un torneo deportivo.

We participated in a sports tournament.

Masculine singular.

La moda deportiva ha cambiado mucho.

Sports fashion has changed a lot.

Feminine singular.

El rendimiento deportivo mejoró mucho.

Sporting performance improved a lot.

Masculine singular.

Estudia gestión deportiva en Madrid.

He studies sports management in Madrid.

Specialized field.

El marco deportivo es muy competitivo.

The sporting framework is very competitive.

Abstract concept.

Analizan el éxito deportivo del club.

They analyze the club's sporting success.

Masculine singular.

La política deportiva es prioritaria.

Sports policy is a priority.

Feminine singular.

Es un experto en derecho deportivo.

He is an expert in sports law.

Specialized field.

El calendario deportivo está lleno.

The sports calendar is full.

Masculine singular.

Buscamos patrocinio deportivo.

We are looking for sports sponsorship.

Masculine singular.

La narrativa deportiva es fascinante.

The sports narrative is fascinating.

Literary/Analytical context.

Muestran una gran ética deportiva.

They show great sports ethics.

Feminine singular.

El declive deportivo fue inevitable.

The sporting decline was inevitable.

Masculine singular.

La infraestructura deportiva es moderna.

The sports infrastructure is modern.

Feminine singular.

Existe una amplia cultura deportiva.

There is a wide sports culture.

Feminine singular.

El incentivo deportivo es necesario.

The sporting incentive is necessary.

Masculine singular.

Su trayectoria deportiva es impecable.

His sporting career is impeccable.

Feminine singular.

Debatimos la legislación deportiva.

We debated the sports legislation.

Feminine singular.

La hegemonía deportiva es evidente.

The sporting hegemony is evident.

High-level academic term.

Analizan la psique deportiva actual.

They analyze the current sports psyche.

Psychological context.

La vanguardia deportiva está aquí.

The sporting avant-garde is here.

Feminine singular.

Hubo una gran eclosión deportiva.

There was a great sporting emergence.

Feminine singular.

La idiosincrasia deportiva local.

The local sporting idiosyncrasy.

Cultural nuance.

El paradigma deportivo ha cambiado.

The sports paradigm has changed.

Masculine singular.

Es un hito deportivo histórico.

It is a historic sporting milestone.

Masculine singular.

La simbiosis deportiva es clara.

The sporting symbiosis is clear.

Scientific metaphor.

Common Collocations

coche deportivo

ropa deportiva

club deportivo

espíritu deportivo

periodismo deportivo

centro deportivo

calzado deportivo

evento deportivo

director deportivo

rendimiento deportivo

Common Phrases

ropa deportiva

— Clothes designed for exercise or casual wear.

Siempre voy a clase con ropa deportiva.

coche deportivo

— A high-performance vehicle designed for speed.

Ese coche deportivo es muy caro.

espíritu deportivo

— Fairness and respect in a competitive setting.

Lo más importante es el espíritu deportivo.

club deportivo

— An organization dedicated to playing sports.

El club deportivo ofrece clases de natación.

noticias deportivas

— The section of the news about sports.

Nunca me pierdo las noticias deportivas.

diario deportivo

— A newspaper that only covers sports.

Marca es el diario deportivo más leído.

calzado deportivo

— Sneakers or trainers used for physical activity.

El calzado deportivo es obligatorio en el pabellón.

centro deportivo

— A facility where people go to exercise.

El centro deportivo municipal abre a las siete.

actividad deportiva

— Any action involving physical exercise or play.

La natación es una gran actividad deportiva.

gesta deportiva

— A heroic or great achievement in sports.

Ganar el mundial fue una gesta deportiva.

Often Confused With

deportivo vs deportista

Use 'deportista' for the person (athlete) and 'deportivo' for the quality/thing.

deportivo vs atlético

Use 'atlético' for physical build, 'deportivo' for style/interests.

deportivo vs deportado

A false cognate meaning 'deported'.

Idioms & Expressions

"espíritu deportivo"

— Fair play and integrity in competition.

Aceptó la derrota con espíritu deportivo.

neutral

"por amor al arte"

— Doing something for the love of it (often used for amateur sports).

Él juega al fútbol por amor al arte.

informal

"dar el cien por cien"

— To give maximum effort (common in sports talk).

Tienes que dar el cien por cien en el campo.

neutral

"sudando la gota gorda"

— Working very hard physically.

Estábamos sudando la gota gorda en el entrenamiento.

informal

"tirar la toalla"

— To give up (from boxing).

No puedes tirar la toalla ahora.

neutral

"estar en forma"

— To be in good physical condition.

Ella siempre está en forma.

neutral

"jugar limpio"

— To play fair.

Es importante jugar limpio siempre.

neutral

"colgar las botas"

— To retire from playing sports (specifically football).

El capitán decidió colgar las botas este año.

informal

"dar la talla"

— To measure up or meet expectations.

El nuevo jugador no dio la talla.

neutral

"ser un hacha"

— To be an expert or very good at something (like a sport).

Mi hermano es un hacha en el tenis.

informal

Easily Confused

deportivo vs deportista

Both relate to sports.

Deportista is a noun for a person; deportivo is an adjective for things.

El deportista lleva ropa deportiva.

deportivo vs atlético

Both mean 'athletic' or 'sporty'.

Atlético refers to physical strength/form; deportivo refers to sports in general.

Es un hombre atlético en un club deportivo.

deportivo vs deporte

Root word.

Deporte is the noun (the sport itself).

Hago deporte con mi equipo deportivo.

deportivo vs zapatillas

Specific item vs general adjective.

Zapatillas are the shoes; deportivas can be the adjective describing them.

Mis zapatillas son deportivas.

deportivo vs recreativo

Similar context of leisure.

Recreativo is for general fun; deportivo is specifically for sports.

El centro es recreativo y deportivo.

Sentence Patterns

Yo tengo [noun] deportivo.

Yo tengo calzado deportivo.

El [noun] es muy deportivo.

El coche es muy deportivo.

Me gusta el espíritu deportivo de [person/team].

Me gusta el espíritu deportivo de Rafael Nadal.

El [noun] deportivo requiere [noun].

El rendimiento deportivo requiere disciplina.

A pesar del [noun] deportivo, [clause].

A pesar del éxito deportivo, el club tiene deudas.

La [noun] deportiva se ve afectada por [noun].

La legislación deportiva se ve afectada por la política.

Ella prefiere la ropa deportiva.

Es un club deportivo muy famoso.

Word Family

Nouns

deporte

deportista

deportividad

polideportivo

Verbs

deportar (unrelated meaning)

hacer deporte

Adjectives

deportivo

antideportivo

deportista

atletismo

gimnasio

entrenamiento

competencia

jugador

How to Use It

frequency

Very common in daily life and media.

Common Mistakes

El es muy deportivo (meaning athlete). → Él es un gran deportista.
Use 'deportista' for the person/athlete role.
Ropa deportivo. → Ropa deportiva.
Ropa is feminine; the adjective must match.
Me gusta el deporte coche. → Me gusta el coche deportivo.
Use the adjective form 'deportivo' to modify the noun.
Zapatos deportiva. → Zapatos deportivos.
Zapatos is masculine plural; use 'deportivos'.
Un deportivo espíritu. → Un espíritu deportivo.
Adjectives usually come after the noun in Spanish.

Tips

Check Agreement

Always match 'deportivo' with the noun's gender. Remember 'ropa' is feminine, so it's always 'ropa deportiva'.

Sports Cars

If you just say 'un deportivo' in a conversation about cars, everyone will know you mean a sports car.

Football Clubs

Many Spanish football clubs are called 'Deportivo'. It's a very common part of sports branding.

Soft V

Remember the Spanish 'v' sounds like a 'b'. Say 'de-por-tee-bo'.

Media Usage

Use 'prensa deportiva' or 'diario deportivo' when writing about sports newspapers.

Sneakers

In Spain, you can just say 'Mis deportivas' to talk about your sneakers.

Sportsmanship

Use 'espíritu deportivo' to praise someone's fair play.

Centers

Look for 'Centro Deportivo' signs if you want to find a gym in a Spanish city.

Careers

If you work in sports, you might have a 'carrera deportiva'.

Lifestyle

Being 'deportivo' is associated with a healthy, active lifestyle.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Deport' (port of departure) where people 'depart' from their normal life to play sports. 'Deportivo' is the 'sporty' version of that departure.

Visual Association

Imagine a sleek red sports car parked in front of a modern gym with 'DEPORTIVO' written in neon lights.

Word Web

deporte coche ropa club periodismo espíritu calzado noticias

Challenge

Try to name five things in your house that can be described as 'deportivo' or 'deportiva'.

Word Origin

Derived from the Spanish noun 'deporte', which comes from the Old Spanish 'deportar' meaning 'to amuse oneself' or 'to divert'.

Original meaning: Diversion, amusement, or pastime.

Romance (Latin root 'deportare' - to carry away).

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities; 'deportivo' is a positive and neutral term.

English uses 'sporty' or 'athletic'. Spanish uses 'deportivo' for objects and 'deportista' for the person more often.

Deportivo de La Coruña (Football Club) Mundo Deportivo (Newspaper) Polideportivo (Common community hub name)

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Shopping for clothes

¿Dónde está la ropa deportiva?
Busco unas botas deportivas.
Quiero un estilo más deportivo.
Esta chaqueta es muy deportiva.

Talking about cars

Es un coche deportivo.
Tiene una línea muy deportiva.
Me encantan los deportivos rojos.
Prefiero un coche deportivo a un sedán.

At the gym/sports center

¿Dónde está el centro deportivo?
El club deportivo es excelente.
Hay muchas actividades deportivas.
Uso el equipo deportivo.

Watching news

Pon las noticias deportivas.
Leo el diario deportivo.
Me gusta el periodismo deportivo.
La sección deportiva es larga.

Describing a friend

Él es muy deportivo.
Ella siempre viste deportiva.
Son una familia muy deportiva.
Tiene un aire deportivo.

Conversation Starters

"¿Te gusta el estilo deportivo o prefieres algo más formal?"

"¿Cuál es tu coche deportivo favorito?"

"¿Sueles leer la prensa deportiva por las mañanas?"

"¿Hay un buen centro deportivo en tu barrio?"

"¿Crees que el espíritu deportivo es importante en la vida?"

Journal Prompts

Describe tu atuendo deportivo favorito y por qué te gusta.

Escribe sobre un evento deportivo al que hayas asistido recientemente.

¿Qué significa para ti tener espíritu deportivo?

Si pudieras comprar cualquier coche deportivo, ¿cuál elegirías?

Explica las ventajas de ir a un club deportivo regularmente.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, you should use 'deportista'. 'Deportivo' is an adjective that describes things or a person's style. For example, 'Él es muy deportivo' means he is sporty, but 'Él es deportista' means he is an athlete.

In most cases, yes. Spanish adjectives usually follow the noun. 'Un coche deportivo' is standard. Placing it before is very rare and mostly used in poetry or highly stylized writing.

It is a noun referring to a sports complex where multiple types of sports can be played, such as basketball, swimming, and soccer. It is very common in Spanish towns.

In Spain, 'las deportivas' is commonly used as a noun to mean 'sneakers' or 'trainers'. In other regions, people might say 'los tenis' or 'las zapatillas'.

The most common way is 'espíritu deportivo' or 'deportividad'.

It is a neutral word. It can be used in formal contexts like 'derecho deportivo' or informal ones like 'qué deportivo vas'.

Yes, 'un coche deportivo' is the standard term for a sports car.

It is sports journalism, covering everything from football matches to Olympic games.

No, it is pronounced like a soft Spanish 'b', where the lips almost touch but not quite.

Yes, 'deportivos' for masculine plural and 'deportivas' for feminine plural.