Inklingo

How to Say "tall tale" in Spanish

English → Spanish

bola

/boh-lah//ˈbo.la/

nounB1informal
Use 'bola' when you want to call out an exaggerated story directly as a lie or untruth, implying disbelief.
A small figure whispering into another person's ear, and the whispered sound visually manifests as a disproportionately large, absurd object, symbolizing a lie.

Examples

¡Ese no es un hecho real, es solo una bola que te inventaste!

That's not a real fact, it's just a tall tale you made up!

¡No me vengas con esa bola! Sé que no es verdad.

Don't give me that lie! I know it's not true.

Se inventó una bola sobre por qué llegó tarde.

He made up a tall tale about why he was late.

cuento

KWEN-toh/ˈkwen̪.t̪o/

nounB1
Use 'cuento' when referring to a tall tale as a fanciful, elaborate, or unbelievable story, often implying it's a fabrication or excuse.
A cartoon character standing awkwardly, attempting to hide a large, ridiculously fake object behind their back, symbolizing a lie.

Examples

Me contó un cuento sobre cómo se encontró un tesoro en el jardín.

He told me a tall tale about how he found treasure in the garden.

¡Ese es un cuento muy viejo! No te creo nada.

That's a very old excuse! I don't believe anything you say.

Siempre viene con el mismo cuento de que el tráfico fue terrible.

He always comes up with the same story/excuse about the traffic being terrible.

No me vengas con cuentos, sé la verdad.

Don't give me any of your nonsense; I know the truth.

Bola vs. Cuento

Learners often confuse 'bola' and 'cuento' because both can refer to untrue stories. Remember that 'bola' is more direct in calling something a lie, while 'cuento' can describe a more elaborate or unbelievable narrative, not necessarily a direct falsehood.

Related Translations

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