Inklingo

How to Say "ball" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “ball” is “balón” — use 'balón' for large, inflated balls used in popular sports like soccer, basketball, or volleyball.

balónA1

Use 'balón' for large, inflated balls used in popular sports like soccer, basketball, or volleyball.

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bola🔊A1

Use 'bola' for a general round object, like a toy ball, a billiard ball, or a simple sphere.

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pelota🔊A1

Use 'pelota' for a ball specifically used in games or sports, often smaller and more solid than a 'balón'.

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baile🔊A1

Use 'baile' exclusively for a formal dance event or the act of dancing itself.

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bala🔊A2

Use 'bala' for a projectile, typically a bullet or a cannonball from historical contexts.

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huevo🔊C1

Use 'huevo' only in very informal, vulgar slang to refer to testicles, often when injured.

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cojónC1

Use 'cojón' as vulgar slang for testicle, often in expressions of anger or pain.

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English → Spanish

balón

nounA1
Use 'balón' for large, inflated balls used in popular sports like soccer, basketball, or volleyball.

Examples

El delantero chutó el balón y marcó un gol.

The striker kicked the ball and scored a goal.

bola

boh-lahˈbo.la

nounA1
Use 'bola' for a general round object, like a toy ball, a billiard ball, or a simple sphere.
A brightly colored, perfectly spherical ball resting on a grassy field.

Examples

El niño lanzó la bola muy alto.

The child threw the ball very high.

Necesitas una bola de cristal para saber el futuro.

You need a crystal ball to know the future.

Gender Check

Remember that 'bola' is always feminine. You must use 'la' or 'una' with it.

pelota

peh-LOH-tahpeˈlota

nounA1
Use 'pelota' for a ball specifically used in games or sports, often smaller and more solid than a 'balón'.
A classic black and white soccer ball sits on bright green grass under a clear blue sky.

Examples

Necesitamos una pelota nueva para jugar fútbol.

We need a new ball to play soccer.

El perro persiguió la pelota hasta el parque.

The dog chased the ball all the way to the park.

La niña lanzó la pelota muy alto.

The girl threw the ball very high.

Gender Reminder

Even though many nouns ending in '-a' are feminine, remember to use the feminine article 'la' or 'una' before 'pelota'.

Using 'balón' incorrectly

Mistake: “Using 'balón' when referring to a small baseball or tennis ball.”

Correction: Use 'pelota' for smaller, general balls. 'Balón' is reserved for large balls like those used in football (soccer) or basketball.

baile

BAI-lehˈbai̯.le

nounA1
Use 'baile' exclusively for a formal dance event or the act of dancing itself.
A colorful illustration showing a joyful couple performing a lively social dance step on a wooden floor.

Examples

Me encanta el baile flamenco.

I love flamenco dancing.

¿Vas a ir al baile de la escuela el viernes?

Are you going to the school dance on Friday?

Organizaron un baile de caridad para recaudar fondos.

They organized a charity ball to raise funds.

It's a Masculine Noun

Even though it ends in 'e', 'baile' is masculine. Always use 'el' or 'un' with it. For example, 'El baile fue divertido' (The dance was fun).

bala

BAH-lahˈbala

nounA2
Use 'bala' for a projectile, typically a bullet or a cannonball from historical contexts.
A single, shiny brass and copper bullet cartridge resting on a flat surface.

Examples

Encontraron una bala en el suelo después del ruido.

They found a bullet on the ground after the noise.

El chaleco antibalas está diseñado para detener las balas.

The bulletproof vest is designed to stop bullets.

Gender Reminder

Even though it ends in '-a', 'bala' is a feminine noun, so you use 'la' or 'una' before it.

huevo

OO-EH-vohˈweβo

nounC1vulgar
Use 'huevo' only in very informal, vulgar slang to refer to testicles, often when injured.
Two perfectly smooth, light pink ovoid anatomical shapes floating side-by-side.

Examples

Me caí y me di un golpe en los huevos, ¡qué dolor!

I fell and hit myself in the balls, what pain!

No me toques los huevos, estoy de mal humor.

Don't bother me (literally: don't touch my balls), I'm in a bad mood.

Use in Plural

This meaning is almost always used in the plural form, 'los huevos,' especially in idiomatic expressions.

cojón

nounC1vulgar
Use 'cojón' as vulgar slang for testicle, often in expressions of anger or pain.

Examples

Le dio una patada en el cojón.

He kicked him in the ball.

Confusing 'balón', 'bola', and 'pelota'

The most frequent confusion for learners is between 'balón', 'bola', and 'pelota'. Remember that 'balón' is for large, inflated sports balls, 'pelota' is for general sports/play balls (often smaller), and 'bola' is a more generic term for any round object.

Related Translations

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