Inklingo

How to Say "ball" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “ball” is “pelota” — use 'pelota' for a general round object used for playing games or sports, especially when it's smaller and hand-held..

pelota🔊A1

Use 'pelota' for a general round object used for playing games or sports, especially when it's smaller and hand-held.

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bola🔊A1

Use 'bola' for a round object, often a toy or a piece of sports equipment, and also for things like a snowball or a ball of yarn.

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balónA1

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

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baile🔊A1

Use 'baile' when referring to a formal dance event or the act of dancing itself, not a physical object.

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bala🔊A2

Use 'bala' to refer to a projectile fired from a gun, like a bullet or a cannonball, not for playing games.

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huevo🔊C1

Use 'huevo' only as vulgar slang for 'balls' when referring to male testicles, never for a playing ball.

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English → Spanish

pelota

peh-LOH-tah/peˈlota/

nounA1general
Use 'pelota' for a general round object used for playing games or sports, especially when it's smaller and hand-held.
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.

bola

/boh-lah//ˈbo.la/

nounA1general
Use 'bola' for a round object, often a toy or a piece of sports equipment, and also for things like a snowball or a ball of yarn.
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.

balón

nounA1general
Use 'balón' specifically for large, inflated balls used in team 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.

baile

/BAI-leh//ˈbai̯.le/

nounA1general
Use 'baile' when referring to a formal dance event or the act of dancing itself, not a physical object.
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-lah//ˈbala/

nounA2general
Use 'bala' to refer to a projectile fired from a gun, like a bullet or a cannonball, not for playing games.
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-voh/ˈweβo/

nounC1slang
Use 'huevo' only as vulgar slang for 'balls' when referring to male testicles, never for a playing ball.
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.

Ball vs. Balón vs. Pelota

The most common mistake is confusing 'pelota', 'bola', and 'balón'. Remember 'balón' is for large, inflated sports balls like soccer or basketball, while 'pelota' and 'bola' are more general terms for smaller round objects, with 'pelota' often used for sports and 'bola' for toys or general round items.

Related Translations

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