bola
/boh-lah/
ball
The most common meaning of bola is a round object, like a ball used for play.
bola(noun)
ball
?toy, sports equipment, round object
sphere
?geometric shape
,marble
?small glass ball
📝 In Action
El niño lanzó la bola muy alto.
A1The child threw the ball very high.
Necesitas una bola de cristal para saber el futuro.
B1You need a crystal ball to know the future.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Check
Remember that 'bola' is always feminine. You must use 'la' or 'una' with it.
⭐ Usage Tips
Bola vs. Pelota
While both mean 'ball,' 'pelota' is usually used for sports balls (like soccer or tennis). 'Bola' is often used for smaller, solid balls (like marbles, cannonballs, or balls of yarn).
In some contexts, bola can mean a lie or an untruth, often a ridiculous one.
📝 In Action
¡No me vengas con esa bola! Sé que no es verdad.
B1Don't give me that lie! I know it's not true.
Se inventó una bola sobre por qué llegó tarde.
B2He made up a tall tale about why he was late.
⭐ Usage Tips
Very Informal Usage
This meaning is very common in Mexico and Central America but might sound strange or be misunderstood in parts of South America, where 'mentira' is safer.
Bola can also informally refer to a lively social gathering or party.
📝 In Action
¿Vamos a la bola este sábado en casa de Pedro?
B2Are we going to the party this Saturday at Pedro's house?
¡Qué buena bola se armó anoche!
C1What a great party/bash was put together last night!
⭐ Usage Tips
Regional Slang
If you are learning Spanish outside of Mexico or Central America, use 'fiesta' instead of 'bola' to mean 'party.' 'Bola' here is a strong regionalism.
When used to describe a situation, bola often means a chaotic mess or trouble.
bola(noun)
mess
?complicated situation, trouble
crowd
?group of people (often associated with trouble)
📝 In Action
No te metas en esa bola de problemas; es mejor ignorarlos.
C1Don't get involved in that mess of problems; it's better to ignore them.
Toda la situación se hizo una bola, y nadie sabía cómo resolverlo.
C2The whole situation got complicated (literally: became a ball), and nobody knew how to solve it.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Translating Idioms
Mistake: "Using 'Hacer una bola' to mean 'to make a ball for a game.'"
Correction: When talking about situations, 'Hacerse una bola' means the situation got messy or complicated. For a physical ball, use 'hacer una pelota'.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: bola
Question 1 of 2
If someone tells you, '¡Eso es pura bola!' (in Mexico), what are they saying?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'bola' always feminine?
Yes, 'bola' is a feminine word, meaning you must always use 'la' or 'una' before it.
When should I use 'pelota' instead of 'bola'?
Use 'pelota' when referring to soft, inflated sports equipment (like a soccer ball or basketball). Use 'bola' for solid round objects (like a ball of yarn, a marble, or a cannonball).