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"Pelota" is a noun which is often translated as "ball", and "bola" is a noun which is also often translated as "ball". Learn more about the difference between "pelota" and "bola" below.
la pelota(
peh
-
loh
-
tah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
b. football (soccer) (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Le regalaron la pelota del Mundial 2014 para el cumpleaños.He was given the 2014 World Cup football for his birthday.
2. (colloquial) (sports) (Cuba) (Dominican Republic) (Venezuela)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Cuba
Regionalism used in the Dominican Republic
Regionalism used in Venezuela
3. (vulgar) (male genitalia)
A word or phrase that is crude, indecent, and generally rejected by society.
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
4. (colloquial) (flatterer) (Spain)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Spain
a. brownnoser (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Esa pelota otra vez anda haciéndole la rosca al jefe.That brownnoser is sucking up to the boss again.
las pelotas
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
b. guts (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Hace falta tener muchas pelotas para decir lo que piensas cuando nadie te apoya.It takes a lot of guts to speak your mind when nobody backs you.
6. (colloquial) (idiot) (Southern Cone)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. jerk (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Ese pelotas no hizo nada para ayudarme.That jerk did nothing to help me.
la bola(
boh
-
lah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
2. (sports)
a. ball
Los niños están jugando con una bola en el parque.The kids are playing with a ball in the park.
3. (culinary)
4. (games)
a. boules
Los viejitos franceses jugaban bola en el jardín.The elderly Frenchmen played boules in the garden.
5. (polish)
a. shoe polish
Necesito comprar bola para pulir mis botas.I need to buy shoe polish to shine my boots.
6. (colloquial) (gossip)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. rumor
No andes divulgando bolas si no quieres que piensen mal de ti.Don't go around spreading rumors if you don't want people to think poorly of you.
7. (colloquial) (lie)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. fib (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Mi hermano le dijo una bola a mi mamá.My brother told my mom a fib.
8. (colloquial) (group) (Mexico)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Mexico
las bolas
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
