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polla

POY-yah/ˈpoʝa/

betting pool

Also: lottery, jackpot
NounfB1informal
ChileColombia
A pile of colorful poker chips and gold coins on a green felt table.

📝 In Action

Hicimos una polla en la oficina para el partido de fútbol.

B1

We started a betting pool at the office for the soccer game.

Me gané la polla del domingo.

B2

I won the Sunday jackpot.

Tengo que comprar mi boleto de la Polla Chilena.

B1

I have to buy my ticket for the Chilean lottery.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • apuesta (bet)
  • quiniela (football pool)

Common Collocations

  • armar una polla – to start a betting pool
  • polla de beneficencia – charity lottery

dick / cock

Also: nothing / damn
NounfC1slang
Spain
A stylized, cartoon-like pink eggplant icon.

📝 In Action

¡No entiendo ni una polla!

C1

I don't understand a damn thing!

Ese tío es la polla.

C1

That guy is the best / is incredible.

¡Me importa una polla lo que digas!

C2

I don't give a damn what you say!

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • pene (penis (medical/formal))
  • nabo (cock (slang))

Common Collocations

  • ser la polla – to be the best / amazing
  • ni una polla – not a damn thing

Idioms & Expressions

  • Me importa una polla – I don't care at all
  • Estar hasta la polla – To be fed up or sick of something

young hen

Also: pullet
NounfC2
A small, young female chicken standing in green grass.

📝 In Action

La polla caminaba por el corral.

C2

The young hen was walking through the farmyard.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • pollita (little hen)
  • gallina joven (young hen)

Antonyms

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "polla" in Spanish:

betting pool→pullet→young hen→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: polla

Question 1 of 3

If you are in Chile and someone asks you to join a 'polla', what are they asking?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
pollo(chicken) — Noun
pollito(chick) — Noun
pollería(poultry shop) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin 'pulla', which referred to the young of any animal, specifically a young hen.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: polloFrench: poule

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'polla' always a bad word?

No. In many Latin American countries like Chile and Colombia, it is a perfectly normal word for a betting pool. However, in Spain, it is almost always considered vulgar slang.

What should I say instead of 'polla' in Spain for a bet?

Use the word 'porra'. If you and your friends are betting on a score, say 'Hacemos una porra'.

Why do people say 'la polla' to mean something good?

It's similar to how 'the shit' or 'the balls' is used in English slang to describe something impressive. It's very informal and should only be used with friends.