pelota roja
/pelota ɾoxa/from spelling rules
The English phrase "red ball" is translated into Spanish as pelota roja.
Pelota roja refers to a spherical object used for play that is red in color.
Which one should you use?
In Spanish, the adjective roja follows the noun pelota, whereas in English the adjective precedes the noun. While pelota is a general term for a small ball, the term balón rojo is often used when referring to larger sports balls, such as those used in soccer or basketball.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective roja must agree in gender with the feminine noun pelota.
How do you pronounce it?
/pelota ɾoxa/
Did you know?
- In some contexts, the word pelota is used as a slang term in Spanish to describe someone who is a 'brown-noser' or a sycophant.
- The word pelota shares a common ancestor with the English word 'pill' through the Latin word pila, which originally referred to a ball or a sphere.
- The term pelota is used in the name of the traditional Basque sport, pelota vasca, which involves hitting a ball against a wall.
Examples in context
- Las pelotas plateadas están alrededor de la pelota roja.The silver balls are around the red ball.This sentence is useful for showing the position of pelota roja in relation to other objects.Tatoeba #1495228 by hayastan, translation #680247 by Source_VOA
- ¿Dónde está la pelota roja?Where is the red ball?
- ¿Has visto el balón rojo?Have you seen the red ball?
- Necesitamos una esfera roja para el árbol de Navidad.We need a red ball for the Christmas tree.
- ¡Mira esa bola roja!Look at that red ball!
- Aquí tienes una pelotita roja para jugar.Here you have a little red ball to play with.
- Compré una pelota colorada para el partido.I bought a red ball for the match.
- ¡Esa bola roja es genial!That red ball is awesome!
- Busco mi pelota roja.I am looking for my red ball.
- La pelota roja es muy pequeña.The red ball is very small.
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are playing in a park.
- Mateo¿Dónde está la pelota roja?Where is the red ball?
- SofíaEstá debajo de tu silla, Mateo.It is under your chair, Mateo.
- Mateo¡Gracias, Sofía!Thanks, Sofía!
- SofíaDe nada, vamos a jugar.You're welcome, let's play.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pelota, roja, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
