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bolas

BOH-lahs/ˈbo.las/

balls, marbles

Also: spheres
NounfA1
A collection of brightly colored spherical toy balls scattered on a floor.

📝 In Action

Las bolas rojas de Navidad están en la caja.

A1

The red Christmas balls are in the box.

Necesitas tres bolas para jugar al billar.

A2

You need three balls to play billiards.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • esferas (spheres)
  • pelotas (balls (often larger, like for sports))

Common Collocations

  • bolas de helado – scoops of ice cream
  • bolas de fuego – fireballs

guts

Also: nerve, balls
NounfB2slang
Venezuela
A tiny, determined squirrel standing confidently at the base of a gigantic oak tree, ready to climb, symbolizing courage.

📝 In Action

Tienes que tener bolas para decirle eso al jefe.

B2

You have to have guts (or 'balls') to say that to the boss.

¡Qué bolas las tuyas! ¿Cómo hiciste eso?

C1

What nerve you have! How did you do that?

Word Connections

Synonyms

Idioms & Expressions

  • Tener bolas – To be very brave or daring.
  • Echarle bolas – To put effort into something (regional, Venezuela).

lies

Also: nonsense
NounfB1informal
Colombia, Venezuela, Central America
A friendly fox wearing a clumsy, oversized chicken costume, attempting to look innocent, symbolizing a lie or falsehood.

📝 In Action

Eso que dijo tu amigo son puras bolas.

B1

What your friend said is total nonsense (or 'pure lies').

No le creas, siempre echa bolas.

B2

Don't believe him, he always tells lies.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Idioms & Expressions

  • Puras bolas – Complete nonsense or falsehoods.

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "bolas" in Spanish:

balls→guts→lies→marbles→nerve→nonsense→spheres→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: bolas

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'bolas' to mean 'courage' or 'guts'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
bola(ball, sphere (singular)) — Noun
bolazo(hit with a ball; big lie (slang)) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
colassolas
📚 Etymology▼

The word comes from the Latin 'bulla,' meaning 'bubble,' 'knob,' or 'rounded object.' Over time, it developed the meaning of a sphere or ball. The slang uses are later figurative extensions of the physical object.

First recorded: 13th century (as 'bola')

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: pallaFrench: boule

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'bolas' a vulgar word?

Yes, in many Spanish-speaking regions, 'bolas' is considered highly vulgar when used to mean 'courage' or 'guts' (similar to the English 'balls'). However, when it simply means 'spheres' or 'marbles,' it is completely neutral.

When should I use 'bolas' instead of 'pelotas'?

'Bolas' usually refers to smaller, denser spheres (like marbles, Christmas ornaments, or scoops of ice cream). 'Pelotas' is generally used for larger, lighter balls, especially those used in sports (like soccer or tennis).