A single blue ballpoint pen lying on a clean white surface.

bolígrafo

boh-LEE-grah-foh

nounmA1

ballpoint pen?writing instrument

Also:pen?general term for an ink-based writing tool

📝 In Action

¿Me prestas un bolígrafo, por favor?

Can you lend me a pen, please?

Tengo que firmar el contrato con un bolígrafo azul.

I have to sign the contract with a blue pen.

Se me acabó la tinta del bolígrafo.

My pen ran out of ink.

Word Connections

Synonyms

boli (pen (shortened/informal))
pluma (pen (common in Mexico))
lapicero (pen (common in Central/South America))

Antonyms

lápiz (pencil)

Common Collocations

bolígrafo de gel – gel pen
escribir a bolígrafo – to write in pen
bolígrafo retráctil – clicky pen / retractable pen

💡 Grammar Points

Gender and Articles

This word is masculine. Always use 'el' for one pen or 'los' for multiple pens.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Pen vs. Pencil

Mistake: "Using 'lápiz' when you mean a pen."

Correction: Use 'lápiz' only for things made of wood and graphite that you can erase. Use 'bolígrafo' for ink.

⭐ Usage Tips

The 'Boli' Shortcut

In casual conversation in Spain, almost everyone just says 'boli' instead of the full word 'bolígrafo'.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: bolígrafo

Question 1 of 2

Which of these would you use to write something that cannot be easily erased?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

boli(pen (short version)) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use 'pluma' instead of 'bolígrafo'?

Yes, especially in Mexico and some other Latin American countries. However, in Spain, 'pluma' usually refers specifically to a fountain pen (the fancy kind you dip in ink or use with a cartridge).

Is 'birome' a real word?

Yes! It is the standard word for pen in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. It's named after László Bíró, the inventor of the ballpoint pen.