globo
/GLO-boh/
balloon
A festive 'globo' (balloon) used for celebration.
📝 In Action
El niño soltó el globo y voló hacia el cielo.
A1The boy let go of the balloon and it flew toward the sky.
Compramos veinte globos rojos para la fiesta de cumpleaños.
A1We bought twenty red balloons for the birthday party.
¡Cuidado! Si pinchas el globo, explotará.
A2Be careful! If you prick the balloon, it will pop.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Rule
Remember that 'globo' is a masculine word, so you must use masculine articles like 'el' (the) or 'un' (a/an) before it, and masculine adjectives after it.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the wrong article
Mistake: "La globo es grande."
Correction: El globo es grande. (Since 'globo' is masculine, the article and adjective must also be masculine.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Context is Key
If you need to be specific about a hot air balloon, you usually say 'globo aerostático', although 'globo' might be understood if you are already talking about flying things.
A miniature 'globo' (globe) used for studying geography.
📝 In Action
El profesor señaló Asia en el globo terráqueo.
B1The professor pointed to Asia on the terrestrial globe.
Navegaron alrededor del globo durante tres años.
B2They sailed around the globe (the world) for three years.
El globo ocular es la parte principal del ojo.
B2The eyeball is the main part of the eye.
💡 Grammar Points
Specialized Terminology
When referring to the model of the Earth, Spanish often uses the specific phrase 'globo terráqueo' to clarify the meaning.
⭐ Usage Tips
Referring to the world
In literature or formal speech, 'el globo' can be used as a short way to refer to the whole world or planet.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: globo
Question 1 of 2
¿Cuál de estas oraciones usa 'globo' para referirse a un modelo geográfico?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'globo' ever used to mean the entire planet Earth?
Yes, but usually in the longer phrase 'el globo terráqueo' (the terrestrial globe) or sometimes just 'el globo' in a formal or literary context, meaning 'the world' or 'the sphere of the Earth'.
How do I specify a 'hot air balloon'?
The full term is 'globo aerostático'. While sometimes people shorten it to 'globo' if the context is clear (like at a festival), using the full phrase is the safest way to avoid confusion with a small party balloon.