Inklingo

bolos

BOH-lohs/ˈbolos/

bowling

Also: ten-pins
NounmA1
A person rolling a heavy ball down a wooden lane towards a group of white pins.

📝 In Action

Me encanta jugar a los bolos los sábados.

A1

I love to go bowling on Saturdays.

¿Dónde está la pista de bolos?

A2

Where is the bowling alley?

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • boliche (bowling (used in Latin America))

Common Collocations

  • jugar a los bolosto go bowling
  • pista de bolosbowling alley

pins

NounmA2
A close-up of ten white bowling pins standing in a triangular formation.

📝 In Action

He derribado todos los bolos de un tiro.

A2

I knocked down all the pins in one shot.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • pino (pin (less common for bowling))

Common Collocations

  • derribar los bolosto knock down the pins

gigs

Also: shows
NounmB2informal
Spain
A musician playing a guitar on a small stage with a spotlight.

📝 In Action

La banda tiene muchos bolos este verano.

B2

The band has many gigs this summer.

drunk

Also: tipsy
AdjectivemC1slang
Central America
A person sitting on a stool looking dizzy with colorful swirls around their head.

📝 In Action

Ellos se pusieron muy bolos en la fiesta.

C1

They got very drunk at the party.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • borrachos (drunk people)
  • ebrios (intoxicated (formal))

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "bolos" in Spanish:

bowlingdrunkgigspinsshowsten-pinstipsy

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: bolos

Question 1 of 2

If you are in Madrid and a musician says they have a 'bolo' tonight, what are they doing?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
bolo(a single pin)Noun
bolear(to bowl (a ball))Verb
boliche(bowling (as a game or place))Noun
🎵 Rhymes
solospolos
📚 Etymology

From the Germanic word 'ball', which entered Spanish through Latin influences to describe round objects or wooden cylinders used in games.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: ballFrench: bille

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'bolos' the same as 'boliche'?

Mostly, yes. In Spain, people say 'bolos' for the game. In many parts of Latin America, 'boliche' is preferred for both the game and the bowling alley itself.

Can I use 'bolos' for a single pin?

No, if you are talking about just one pin, you should use the singular form 'el bolo'.