Inklingo
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balón

/bah-LOHN/

ball

A black and white hexagonal patterned soccer ball resting on a bright green field.

A soccer ball, illustrating the most common meaning of balón as a large sports ball.

balón(noun)

mA1

ball

?

large, inflated ball used in sports like soccer or basketball

Also:

soccer ball

?

specific context

,

basketball

?

specific context

📝 In Action

El delantero chutó el balón y marcó un gol.

A2

The striker kicked the ball and scored a goal.

¿Dónde está el balón de baloncesto para el partido?

A1

Where is the basketball for the game?

Necesitamos inflar el balón antes de jugar.

B1

We need to inflate the ball before playing.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • esférico (sphere (used poetically for ball))

Common Collocations

  • patear el balón – to kick the ball
  • botar el balón – to bounce/dribble the ball

💡 Grammar Points

Masculine Noun Rule

Even though it ends in '-ón', 'balón' is always a masculine noun, so you must use 'el' or 'un' before it.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Balón vs. Pelota

Mistake: "Using 'balón' for small, solid, or toy balls (like a golf ball or tennis ball)."

Correction: Use 'balón' only for large, inflated sports balls (soccer, basketball). Use 'pelota' for smaller balls.

⭐ Usage Tips

Sports Usage

In Latin America, 'balón' is the standard term for the soccer ball, but sometimes 'pelota' is also used, especially in informal settings.

A large, rectangular, compressed bale of fluffy white cotton, secured with thick metal straps.

A compressed bale of raw cotton, demonstrating the secondary meaning of balón as a large bundle of raw material.

balón(noun)

mC1

bale

?

large bundle of raw materials (like cotton or wool)

Also:

package

?

large, roundish package of goods

📝 In Action

La fábrica exportó varios balones de algodón.

C1

The factory exported several bales of cotton.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • fardo (bale/bundle)

⭐ Usage Tips

Context is Key

You will only encounter this meaning in very specific, technical, or historical texts related to trade, shipping, or textiles.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: balón

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'balón'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

balonazo(a hard kick or hit with a ball) - noun
baloncesto(basketball (the sport)) - noun
balonmano(handball (the sport)) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'balón' and 'pelota'?

'Balón' is typically a large, inflated ball used in major sports like soccer, basketball, or volleyball. 'Pelota' is the general word for 'ball,' and is used for smaller, harder balls (tennis, baseball, golf) or toy balls.

Is 'balón' masculine or feminine?

'Balón' is always masculine. You must use 'el balón' (the ball) or 'un balón' (a ball).