Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| bolígrafo | /boˈliɡɾafo/ | masculine |
| pluma | /ˈpluma/ | feminine |
| boli | /ˈboli/ | colloquial, masculine, short form |
| lapicera | /lapiˈθeɾa/ /lapiˈseɾa/ |
feminine |
| lapicero | /lapiˈθeɾo/ /lapiˈseɾo/ |
masculine |
| esfero | /esˈfeɾo/ | masculine |
| lapiz de pasta | /lapiθ de pasta/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /lapis de pasta/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
masculine |
The term for a writing tool varies depending on the type of pen and the region where you are speaking.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word often depends on the specific tool: pluma is associated with fountain pens. You should not confuse bolígrafo with lápiz, which means pencil.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Boli is a colloquial, shortened form of bolígrafo used in casual conversation in Spain.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Different regions have their own preferred terms: esfero is the standard term for a ballpoint pen in Colombia and Ecuador. In Andalusia and parts of Latin America, the term lapicero is used to refer to a pen. Finally, pluma is used in certain regions, particularly among older generations.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The words have different genders: bolígrafo, lapicero, esfero and lapiz de pasta are masculine, while pluma and lapicera are feminine. The shortened form boli is masculine.
How do you pronounce it?
/boˈliɡɾafo/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not confuse bolígrafo (pen) with lápiz (pencil).
Did you know?
- The word pluma avoided the typical Spanish sound shift where Latin 'pl-' becomes 'll-', likely because it was used primarily by the upper class.
- In some contexts, lapicero refers to a pen, but in others it can mean a pencil holder or a pen case.
- The term esfero used in Colombia and Ecuador comes from the word for 'sphere', referring to the ball in a ballpoint pen.
Examples in context
- Tom bajó su pluma.Tom put down his pen.This sentence shows the use of pluma.Tatoeba #4594925 by cueyayotl, translation #1024320 by CK
- Me robaron el boli.I had my pen stolen.This sentence shows the use of boli.Tatoeba #13555721 by Seael, translation #252201 by CK
- Me robaron mi pluma.My pen has been stolen.Tatoeba #1532980 by marcelostockle, translation #1504670 by CM
- Por favor, ¿me puede prestar un bolígrafo?Could you please lend me a pen?
- Necesito comprar un bolígrafo para firmar estos documentos.I need to buy a pen to sign these documents.
- Oye, ¿me prestas un boli? Se me olvidó el mío en casa.Hey, can you lend me a pen? I forgot mine at home.
- Voy a comprar unos bolis nuevos para el colegio.I'm going to buy some new pens for school.
- ¿Tienes un lapicero? Necesito anotar esto rápido.Do you have a pen? I need to write this down quickly.
- Compra varios lapiceros para el taller de dibujo.Buy several pens for the drawing workshop.
- No encuentro mi pluma, ¿has visto una?I can't find my pen, have you seen one?
- Mi abuelo siempre usa plumas para escribir.My grandfather always uses fountain pens to write.
- 178 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena is asking Mateo for something in a classroom.
- Elena¿Tienes un bolígrafo que me prestes?Do you have a pen you can lend me?
- MateoSí, toma mi bolígrafo azul.Yes, take my blue pen.
- ElenaMuchas gracias, Mateo.Thank you very much, Mateo.
- MateoDe nada, Elena.You are welcome, Elena.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pen” translations and entries bolígrafo, pluma, boli, lapicera, lapicero, esfero, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries boli, bolígrafo, lapicera, pluma, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
