pelotas

/peh-LOH-tahs/

balls

The literal meaning of pelotas is 'balls'—spherical objects used for play or games.

pelotas(noun)

fA1

balls

spherical objects, especially for games

Also:

spheres

general shape

📝 In Action

Necesitamos tres pelotas nuevas para el partido de tenis.

We need three new balls for the tennis match.

Los niños jugaban en el parque con sus pelotas de colores.

The children were playing in the park with their colored balls.

Word Connections

Synonyms

balones (large balls (soccer/basketball))

Common Collocations

jugar a las pelotas – to play ball
recoger las pelotas – to collect the balls

💡 Grammar Points

Feminine Plural

Even though many objects ending in '-a' are feminine, remember to use feminine articles and adjectives: 'las pelotas rojas'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Mistaking Gender

Mistake: "Los pelotas"

Correction: Las pelotas. This word is always feminine, even in plural form.

⭐ Usage Tips

Size Distinction

Use 'pelotas' for smaller balls (tennis, golf). Use 'balones' for larger balls (soccer, basketball).

Two large, heavy, gray iron cannonballs resting side-by-side on a rough wooden surface, symbolizing toughness.

In vulgar slang, pelotas refers to testicles, often used metaphorically to imply courage or guts.

pelotas(noun)

fC1

balls

testicles (vulgar slang)

Also:

guts

courage, bravery (metaphorical slang)

📝 In Action

Tienes que echarle pelotas si quieres enfrentarte al jefe.

You have to have guts (or 'balls') if you want to confront the boss.

¡Estoy hasta las pelotas de este ruido!

I'm fed up (literally, 'up to my balls') with this noise!

Word Connections

Synonyms

testículos (testicles (formal))

Common Collocations

estar hasta las pelotas – to be fed up/annoyed
echarle pelotas – to show guts/courage

💡 Grammar Points

Grammatical Gender vs. Meaning

Even in this vulgar sense, 'pelotas' remains a feminine plural noun, so it always uses 'las' and feminine adjectives.

⭐ Usage Tips

Context is Key

Only use this meaning in very informal settings with people you know well. It is considered vulgar and offensive in professional or formal situations.

A simplified cartoon figure standing with both arms raised, palms open and facing forward, shrugging emphatically in a gesture of absolute emptiness and denial.

As an interjection, pelotas is used to express extreme denial, meaning 'nothing' or 'no way!'

pelotas(interjection)

n/aC2

nothing

used for extreme denial

Also:

nonsense

expressing disbelief or rejection

📝 In Action

¿Que si sabe cocinar? ¡Sabe pelotas!

Does he know how to cook? He knows nothing!

—¿Me vas a ayudar mañana? —¡Pelotas!

—Are you going to help me tomorrow? —No way! (or 'Nonsense!')

Word Connections

Synonyms

nada (nothing (neutral))

Common Collocations

no saber ni pelotas – to know absolutely nothing
importar pelotas – to not matter at all

💡 Grammar Points

Intensifier

When used after 'no' or 'ni,' 'pelotas' acts as a strong intensifier, making the negation much stronger than just saying 'no' or 'nada'.

⭐ Usage Tips

Spain Focus

This particular use as an intensifier for 'nothing' is highly characteristic of Spanish from Spain and may confuse speakers from other regions.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: pelotas

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'pelotas' in its neutral, literal meaning?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

pelota(ball) - noun

pelotero(ball player; troublemaker) - noun

pelotazo(a hard hit with a ball; a stroke of luck) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'pelotas' the same as 'balones'?

They both mean 'balls,' but 'pelotas' usually refers to smaller balls (tennis, golf, general toys), while 'balones' refers to larger balls used in team sports like soccer or basketball.

Why is 'pelotas' feminine if it refers to male anatomy in slang?

'Pelota' (ball) is historically a feminine noun. When it was adopted as slang for testicles, it retained its original grammatical gender, even though the object it refers to is masculine.