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bolas

/BOH-lahs/

balls

A collection of brightly colored spherical toy balls scattered on a floor.

Bolas can refer to simple spherical objects, like these toy balls.

bolas(noun)

fA1

balls

?

spherical objects

,

marbles

?

game pieces

Also:

spheres

?

geometry

📝 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

💡 Grammar Points

Gender Reminder

Remember that 'bola' is feminine, so it takes feminine plural articles and adjectives (las bolas, bolas grandes).

A tiny, determined squirrel standing confidently at the base of a gigantic oak tree, ready to climb, symbolizing courage.

Informally, 'bolas' can mean having guts or courage.

bolas(noun)

fB2

guts

?

courage, bravery (informal)

Also:

nerve

?

audacity

,

balls

?

vulgar anatomical reference

📝 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).

💡 Grammar Points

High-Risk Word

This meaning is highly vulgar in many Spanish-speaking areas. Use with caution and only among close friends in very informal settings.

⭐ Usage Tips

Use Synonyms

If you want to express courage without being vulgar, use 'valor' or 'coraje' instead of 'bolas'.

A friendly fox wearing a clumsy, oversized chicken costume, attempting to look innocent, symbolizing a lie or falsehood.

Bolas can also be used informally to mean untruths or lies.

bolas(noun)

fB1

lies

?

untruths, falsehoods

Also:

nonsense

?

rubbish, empty talk

📝 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.

💡 Grammar Points

Context is Key

When 'bolas' follows 'ser' (to be) and means 'lies,' it is often used with the plural adjective 'puras' (pure/total).

✏️ 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

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).