pelota
Mexico, general
In Mexico a ball is usually a pelota. For big sports balls such as football and basketball people say balón, and in casual speech bola is also common.
Meaning: round object used in games (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| pelota | Mexico, general |
| bola | casual |
| balón | football or basketball |
Phrases such as jugar a la pelota and patear el balón are everyday sports talk.
Which one should you use?
Pelota is used for a baseball, a tennis ball and a ball for children. Balón is the usual word for a football or basketball.
Did you know?
- The Spanish saying la pelota está en tu cancha matches the English "the ball is in your court".
Examples in context
- El niño perdió su pelota.The boy lost his ball.
- Pásame el balón.Pass me the ball.
- Se me fue la bola.I lost control of the ball.
Example conversation
Dos niños, Beto y Tomás, juegan en un parque.
- BetoTomás, pásame la pelota.Tomás, pass me the ball.
- Tomás¡Ahí va!Here it comes!
- BetoAhora tú, patéala fuerte.Now you, kick it hard.
