μπάλες
bales
The English phrase "balls" can be translated into Greek as μπάλες (bales).
μπάλες is a slang term for testicles. Much like in English, it can also be used metaphorically to refer to a person's courage or "nerve," though it remains highly vulgar in Greek.
Meaning: slang for testicles (noun)
Which one should you use?
While μπάλες is the common slang term, the formal terms Σφαίρες or Σφαίροι can be used to refer to balls in a more proper context. For a more informal or endearing tone, you might use Μπαλάκια to mean "little balls."
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
μπάλες is considered vulgar or informal slang. For formal situations, use the terms Σφαίρες or Σφαίροι. The term Μπαλάκια is an informal variant used to add endearment.
How do you pronounce it?
bales
Did you know?
- Although Σφαίρες is listed as formal, it is also the common word for 'bullets' in Greek, which can lead to confusion in high-tension contexts.
- The word μπάλα is a loanword from the English 'ball', showing how sports terminology heavily influenced Greek slang for anatomy.
- While μπάλες is often used for courage, a Greek person might instead use the word μάρμαρα (literally 'marbles') to describe someone with impressive guts.
Examples in context
- Μια παρέα φίλων παίζει ποδόσφαιρο στο πάρκο με μπάλες.A group of friends plays football in the park with balls.
- Ο Γιώργος αγόρασε δυο μπαλάκια για να παίξει με το σκυλί του.George bought two little balls to play with his dog.
- Έχει πολύ μεγάλες μπάλες.Echei poly megales bales.He has very big balls.
- Έχει τις μπάλες του.Echei tis bales tou.He has balls.
- Πρέπει να έχει μπάλες για αυτό.Prepei na echei bales gia afto.He must have balls for that.
Example conversation
Kostas is bragging about a risky decision he made.
- Κώστας KostasΕίδα το ρίσκο και πήρα την απόφαση.Eída to rísko kai píra tin apófasi.I saw the risk and made the decision.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΘέλει μπάλες για να κάνεις κάτι τέτοιο.Théli mpáles gia na kánis káti tétoio.It takes balls to do something like that.
- Κώστας KostasΔεν φοβάμαι τίποτα πια.Den fovámai típotas pia.I am not afraid of anything anymore.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΕίσαι τρελός, Κώστα.Eísai trelós, Kósta.You are crazy, Kostas.
