How to Say "balls" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “balls” is “bolas” — use 'bolas' for spherical objects, like ornaments or marbles, or as vulgar slang for courage ('You need balls to do that')..
bolas
BOH-lahs/ˈbo.las/
Examples
Las bolas de billar están en la mesa.
The billiard balls are on the table.
Las bolas rojas de Navidad están en la caja.
The red Christmas balls are in the box.
Necesitas tres bolas para jugar al billar.
You need three balls to play billiards.
Tienes que tener bolas para decirle eso al jefe.
You have to have guts (or 'balls') to say that to the boss.
Gender Reminder
Remember that 'bola' is feminine, so it takes feminine plural articles and adjectives (las bolas, bolas grandes).
High-Risk Word
This meaning is highly vulgar in many Spanish-speaking areas. Use with caution and only among close friends in very informal settings.
pelotas
/peh-LOH-tahs//peˈlotas/
Examples
El perro persigue la pelota.
The dog chases the ball.
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.
Tienes que echarle pelotas si quieres enfrentarte al jefe.
You have to have guts (or 'balls') if you want to confront the boss.
Feminine Plural
Even though many objects ending in '-a' are feminine, remember to use feminine articles and adjectives: 'las pelotas rojas'.
Grammatical Gender vs. Meaning
Even in this vulgar sense, 'pelotas' remains a feminine plural noun, so it always uses 'las' and feminine adjectives.
Mistaking Gender
Mistake: “Los pelotas”
Correction: Las pelotas. This word is always feminine, even in plural form.
bailes
/BY-lehs//ˈbai̯les/
Examples
Los bailes de graduación son muy populares.
Graduation dances are very popular.
Me encantan los bailes tradicionales de México.
I love the traditional dances of Mexico.
Habrá varios bailes en la fiesta del sábado.
There will be several dances at the party on Saturday.
Plural Noun
This is simply the plural form of 'baile.' Since 'baile' ends in a vowel, we just add -s to make it plural.
Gender matching
Mistake: “las bailes”
Correction: los bailes
huevos
WAY-vohs/ˈweβos/
Examples
Se necesitan muchos huevos para emprender un negocio.
It takes a lot of guts (or balls) to start a business.
Se necesita tener muchos huevos para saltar desde esa altura.
It takes a lot of guts (or nerve) to jump from that height.
Le echó huevos al asunto y habló con su jefe.
He put some effort/courage into the matter and spoke with his boss.
¡Venga, ponle huevos! ¡Ya casi llegas!
Come on, give it your all (show some guts)! You're almost there!
Using 'Echar'
When 'huevos' is used with the verb 'echar' (echarle huevos), it means to apply great effort or determination, often used as encouragement.
Mixing Register
Mistake: “Using 'huevos' (meaning courage) in a formal business meeting.”
Correction: This usage is considered rude or vulgar in formal settings. Use 'valor' or 'determinación' instead.
Don't confuse objects with courage
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