palla
/ˈpal.la/
The English word "ball" is translated into Italian as palla.
palla is a feminine noun used to describe an object, generally spherical, used for playing games.
Meaning: object, generally spherical, used for playing games (noun)
Which one should you use?
While palla is a general term for a ball, use pallone for larger, inflated balls used in sports like football or basketball and use the diminutive pallina to refer to small balls such as a marble or a tennis ball.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of palla is palle.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈpal.la/. The word has 2 syllables, with the stress on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- The word palla can be used in slang to mean a 'bore' or something extremely tedious, specifically in the phrase che palla!, which translates to 'what a bore!'
- Using palle in the plural can be a vulgar slang term referring to testicles. Depending on the context, saying you have due palle might describe courage or a lack of patience rather than sports equipment.
- The word palla shares an ancient ancestor with the English word 'bubble', both coming from a root meaning 'to swell' or 'to blow'.
Examples in context
- Mi dia la palla!Give me the ball!This sentence is useful for practicing how to request the ball using palla.Tatoeba #1636956 by Guybrush88, translation #1636954 by shekitten
- Non ho la palla.I don't have the ball.This sentence is useful for expressing that you do not possess the ball using palla.Tatoeba #5633763 by Guybrush88, translation #4497956 by CK
- Lui tirò la palla.He threw the ball.This sentence is useful for describing the action of throwing the ball using palla.Tatoeba #1258244 by Guybrush88, translation #292712 by CK
- La palla è rossa.The ball is red.
- Vorrei giocare con una palla da calcio.I would like to play with a soccer ball.
- Hai mai provato a giocare a palla?Have you ever tried playing ball?
- Guarda questa bellissima pallina da tennis.Look at this beautiful tennis ball.
- Dammi quella pallina gialla, per favore.Give me that yellow ball, please.
- Come si gioca a pallone?How do you play ball?
- Voglio comprare un pallone da basket nuovo.I want to buy a new basketball.
- 235 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofia and Matteo are in a park with a dog.
- SofiaGuarda, il cane corre dietro la palla!Look, the dog is running after the ball!
- MatteoÈ davvero veloce a prendere la palla.He is really fast at catching the ball.
- SofiaVuoi lanciare la palla a lui?Do you want to throw the ball to him?
- MatteoSì, gli lancio subito la palla.Yes, I'll throw the ball to him right away.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry palla, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries palla, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
