boba
/boba/from spelling rules
In Spanish, boba is used to describe a person who is foolish or silly.
This word can function as an adjective to describe a person's character or as a noun to call someone a fool. In some Latin American countries, the descriptive term bebida de perlas might be used to refer to boba tea, which is a pearl drink.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the word changes based on the gender and number of the person being described: bobo is the masculine singular form, bobos is the masculine plural form, boba is the feminine singular form and bobas is the feminine plural form.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /boba/.
Did you know?
- The English word 'boba' comes from the Cantonese '波霸', a term that originally referred to 'large breasts' before it was applied to the large pearls in tea.
- While 'boba' in Spanish describes a foolish woman, the word 'boba' in English refers to a drink with tapioca pearls, creating a false friend for Spanish speakers.
Examples in context
- Para beber boba, chupas las bolas.You drink boba by sucking the balls.This sentence illustrates how to use boba in the context of a drink.Tatoeba #11091820 by DJ_Saidez, translation #11069536 by espamatics
- ¿Quieres tomar un bubble tea o una boba?Do you want to have a bubble tea or a boba?
- Vamos a la nueva tienda de té, tienen un delicioso té con bolas de tapioca.Let's go to the new tea shop, they have a delicious tea with tapioca balls.
- No seas boba, es una broma.Don't be silly, it's a joke.
- Ella es un poco boba a veces.She is a little silly sometimes.
Example conversation
Elena is upset because she believed a fake rumor.
- JavierElena, no te creas eso.Elena, don't believe that.
- Elena¡Es que pareció muy real!It's just that it seemed very real!
- JavierNo seas boba, era mentira.Don't be silly, it was a lie.
- ElenaTienes razón, qué tonta fui.You're right, how foolish I was.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries boba, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
