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How to Say "to bounce" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to bounce” is “botar” — use 'botar' when referring to an object, especially a ball, hitting a surface and springing back up, emphasizing the action of bouncing itself..

English → Spanish

botar

/bo-TAR//boˈtaɾ/

verbA2general
Use 'botar' when referring to an object, especially a ball, hitting a surface and springing back up, emphasizing the action of bouncing itself.
A bright orange basketball hitting the floor and leaping back up into the air.

Examples

La pelota bota muy alto.

The ball bounces very high.

Tienes que botar el balón mientras corres.

You have to dribble (bounce) the ball while you run.

The 'Re' prefix

While 'botar' means to bounce, 'rebotar' specifically emphasizes the ball hitting a surface and coming back.

rebotar

/rre-boh-TAHR//reboˈtaɾ/

verbA2general
Use 'rebotar' to describe a physical object that hits a surface and bounces off it, often implying a rebound or deflection.
A bright red ball hitting the floor and springing back up into the air.

Examples

La pelota rebota muy alto.

The ball bounces very high.

El balón rebotó en el poste y entró en la portería.

The ball bounced off the post and went into the goal.

Tienes que hacer rebotar el balón mientras corres.

You have to bounce the ball while you run.

Using 'contra' or 'en'

Use 'en el suelo' (on the floor) to describe where the bounce happens, but 'contra la pared' (against the wall) to describe what it hits.

Bounce vs. Jump

Mistake: “El niño rebota con alegría.”

Correction: El niño salta con alegría. Use 'saltar' for people jumping; 'rebotar' is for objects hitting a surface and coming back.

Botar vs. Rebotar

Learners often confuse 'botar' and 'rebotar' because both describe bouncing. While they are very similar and often interchangeable, 'botar' can sometimes emphasize the act of bouncing itself, whereas 'rebotar' can focus more on the rebound or deflection off a surface.

Related Translations

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