pera de boxeo
/peɾa de boɡseo/from spelling rulesfeminine
The Spanish word for speed bag is pera de boxeo.
The term refers to an air-filled punching bag used for training. In many boxing gyms, people often shorten the name and simply refer to the equipment as la pera.
Meaning: air-filled punching bag (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is a literal translation of "boxing pear", which describes the pear-like shape of the bag.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina and Mexico, the term pera is used to refer to the speed bag.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because pera is a feminine noun, you must use the feminine article la when referring to the speed bag (e.g., la pera de boxeo).
How do you pronounce it?
/peɾa de boɡseo/
Did you know?
- The term boxeo is a modern adaptation, using the English-derived 'box' combined with the Spanish suffix -ear to create a native-sounding verb.
- While pera de boxeo is the standard term, some regions may refer to a heavy bag as a saco, creating a sharp linguistic distinction between 'fruit' and 'sack' for different training tools.
- Because the word pera is used for both the fruit and the speed bag, a literal translation of a phrase like 'hit the pear' could be confusing without the context of a gym.
Examples in context
- Necesito comprar una pera de boxeo nueva.I need to buy a new speed bag.
- La pera de boxeo está colgada en el gimnasio.The speed bag is hanging in the gym.
- Él entrena mucho con la pera de boxeo.He trains a lot with the speed bag.
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are at a boxing gym.
- AlejandroMaría, ¿sabes usar la pera de boxeo?María, do you know how to use the speed bag?
- MaríaNo, Alejandro, nunca he probado una.No, Alejandro, I have never tried one.
- AlejandroEs genial para mejorar la coordinación.It's great for improving coordination.
- MaríaEntonces enséñame a golpearla hoy.Then teach me how to hit it today.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “speed bag” translations, 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 boxeo, de, pera, CC BY-SA 4.0.
