Inklingo

How to Say "sphere" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “sphere” is “bola” — use 'bola' when referring to a round, solid object, like a ball used in sports or games..

English → Spanish

bola

/boh-lah//ˈbo.la/

nounA1general
Use 'bola' when referring to a round, solid object, like a ball used in sports or games.
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-tah/peˈlota/

nounA1general
Use 'pelota' for a ball, especially one used in specific sports like soccer, tennis, or baseball.
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.

globo

GLO-boh/ˈɡloβo/

nounB1general
Use 'globo' for a spherical object, commonly used for 'globe' (like a world globe) or a balloon.
A miniature model of the Earth, showing green continents and blue oceans, mounted on a wooden stand.

Examples

El profesor señaló Asia en el globo terráqueo.

The professor pointed to Asia on the terrestrial globe.

Navegaron alrededor del globo durante tres años.

They sailed around the globe (the world) for three years.

El globo ocular es la parte principal del ojo.

The eyeball is the main part of the eye.

Specialized Terminology

When referring to the model of the Earth, Spanish often uses the specific phrase 'globo terráqueo' to clarify the meaning.

círculo

nounB1general
Use 'círculo' to refer to a group of people or a specific area of influence, like a social circle.

Examples

Ella solo confía en su círculo íntimo de amigos.

She only trusts her inner circle of friends.

sector

sek-TOR/sekˈtoɾ/

nounB1general
Use 'sector' to denote a specific area or field of activity, such as an industry or a part of a city.
A storybook illustration showing three distinct areas of economic activity: a farm field with a red barn, a small factory with smoke stacks, and a modern blue office tower, separated by clear paths.

Examples

El sector turístico se recuperó rápidamente después de la pandemia.

The tourism sector recovered quickly after the pandemic.

Necesitamos más inversión en el sector de energías renovables.

We need more investment in the renewable energy sector.

Ella trabaja en el sector público, para el gobierno.

She works in the public sector, for the government.

Gender Check

Remember that 'sector' is always masculine, so you must use 'el' or 'un' with it: 'el sector,' 'un sector importante.'

Confusing 'Sector' and 'Sección'

Mistake: “Usar 'sección' cuando se refiere a la economía (e.g., 'la sección industrial').”

Correction: 'Sector' is used for large divisions of the economy or society (e.g., 'el sector industrial'). 'Sección' means a small part or chapter (e.g., 'la sección de noticias').

dominio

doh-MEE-nyoh/doˈmi.njo/

nounB1general
Use 'dominio' to refer to control, expertise, or a specific domain like a website's domain name.
A brightly colored, simple illustration of a stylized globe connected by flowing light lines, with a large cursor icon pointing precisely to one glowing spot on the globe, representing a digital domain address.

Examples

El dominio de nuestra página web es www.inklingo.com.

The domain of our website is www.inklingo.com.

Esta investigación está fuera de mi dominio de experiencia.

This research is outside my domain (sphere) of expertise.

Geometric Shape vs. Area of Influence

The most common mistake is using geometric terms like 'bola' or 'globo' when you actually mean an area of influence or a field of activity. Remember that 'círculo', 'sector', and 'dominio' are used for abstract concepts, while 'bola', 'pelota', and 'globo' refer to physical, round objects.

Related Translations

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