Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| bolas | /ˈbɔ.lɐs/ (Brazil) /ˈbɔ.lɐʃ/ (Rio de Janeiro) |
feminine, plural |
| saco | /ˈsa.ku/ (Brazil) /ˈsa.ku/ (Portugal) |
masculine |
| colhões | masculine, plural |
These terms are slang for testicles. The phrase ter bolas (to have balls) is also used metaphorically to describe someone possessing courage or bravery, mirroring its use in English.
What does it mean word for word?
The masculine noun saco literally means sack or bag, but it is used colloquially to refer to the scrotum.
Which one should you use?
While bolas is a common slang term for testicles, it is also the standard word for spherical objects used in sports. In contrast, colhões is a much more vulgar and aggressive slang term.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Portugal, colhões is the most commonly used informal term for "balls".
How does it change in a sentence?
bolas is a feminine noun, so any accompanying adjectives must also be feminine (for example, bolas grandes).
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of bolas is /ˈbɔ.lɐs/.
Did you know?
- The term bolas is used in the common interjection Bolas!, which functions like 'Darn!' or 'Shoot!' to express frustration.
- In Brazil, calling something um saco does not refer to anatomy, but describes something incredibly annoying or tedious.
- The word saco traces its lineage back to the Ancient Greek word sákkos, meaning a sack or sackcloth.
Examples in context
- Ele coçou as bolas.He scratched his balls.This sentence is useful for describing the action of scratching the bolas.Tatoeba #10570307 by Advanced, translation #1996926 by Spamster
- Você tem duas bolas.You have two balls.This sentence is useful for stating that someone possesses two bolas.Tatoeba #4388205 by ajdavidl, translation #69063 by CM
- Nenhuma das bolas é amarela.None of the balls are yellow.This sentence shows the use of bolas in the context of non-anatomical spherical objects.Tatoeba #1873914 by alexmarcelo, translation #456517 by lukaszpp
- O médico examinou seus testículos durante a consulta.The doctor examined your testicles during the appointment.
- Ele é corajoso, tem colhões para enfrentar qualquer desafio.He's brave, he has balls to face any challenge.
- 31 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Camila and Gabriel are joking about a scary movie.
- CamilaVocê ficou com medo do filme?Were you scared of the movie?
- GabrielClaro que não, eu tenho bolas!Of course not, I have balls!
- CamilaPare de falar bobagem, Gabriel.Stop talking nonsense, Gabriel.
- GabrielÉ a verdade, eu sou corajoso.It's the truth, I am brave.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “balls” translations and entries bolas, saco, colhões, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bolas, saco, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
