balas

BAH-lahs

nounfB1

bullets?ammunition,rounds?ammunition count

Also:shots?as in projectiles fired

📝 In Action

Encontraron dos cajas de balas en el armario.

They found two boxes of bullets in the closet.

Se quedaron sin balas después del primer enfrentamiento.

They ran out of rounds after the first confrontation.

El escudo puede detener balas de bajo calibre.

The shield can stop low-caliber bullets.

Word Connections

Synonyms

munición (ammunition)
proyectiles (projectiles)

Common Collocations

caja de balas – box of bullets
bala perdida – stray bullet

Idioms & Expressions

A prueba de balas – Bulletproof

💡 Grammar Points

Plural Form

Since 'balas' is the plural form of the feminine noun 'bala' (bullet), it always requires feminine plural determiners, like 'las' or 'algunas'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing Gender

Mistake: "Los balas (using masculine article)"

Correction: Las balas (use the feminine article 'las' because 'bala' is feminine).

⭐ Usage Tips

Figurative Use

In some technical contexts, 'bala' can refer to a small, fast object or a ball, but 99% of the time, 'balas' means ammunition.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: balas

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'balas' as the sound an animal makes?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

bala(bullet (singular)) - noun

balar(to bleat, to baa) - verb

balazo(gunshot, bullet wound) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if 'balas' refers to bullets or bleating?

Context is everything! If the word is preceded by an article (like 'las') or a number (like 'cinco'), it's the noun 'bullets.' If it follows the pronoun 'tú' (or is implied) and is used in a sentence about sheep or goats, it is the verb 'you bleat.'

Is 'balas' used in any common idioms?

Yes, 'a prueba de balas' is a very common phrase meaning 'bulletproof' or 'invulnerable.'