pelota de tenis
/pelota de tenis/from spelling rules
The English phrase "tennis ball" is translated into Spanish as pelota de tenis.
pelota de tenis refers to the small, hollow rubber ball covered with felt used for playing tennis.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of pelota (ball) and de tenis (of tennis).
Which one should you use?
While pelota is the general term for a ball, pelota de tenis specifically identifies the type of ball used in the sport.
How do you pronounce it?
/pelota de tenis/
Did you know?
- In some contexts, if you call someone a pelotudo, it is a harsh insult, though it shares the same root as pelota.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, the phrase tenis is used to refer to the shoes themselves rather than the sport.
- The word pelota shares a common ancestor with the English word 'pill', both tracing back to the Latin 'pila' meaning a ball or sphere.
Examples in context
- Mi hermano perdió la pelota de tenis en el partido de ayer.My brother lost the tennis ball in yesterday's game.
- El profesor de tenis nos entregó unas bolas de tenis nuevas.The tennis coach handed us some new tennis balls.
- ¡Lanzó la pelotita de tenis muy lejos!He threw the tennis ball very far!
- ¡La bolita de tenis está debajo del sillón!The tennis ball is under the armchair!
- Necesito una pelota de tenis nueva.I need a new tennis ball.
- La pelota de tenis está debajo de la silla.The tennis ball is under the chair.
- ¿Dónde compraste esa pelota de tenis?Where did you buy that tennis ball?
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are preparing to play a match.
- AlejandroLucía, ¿puedes traerme una pelota de tenis?Lucía, can you bring me a tennis ball?
- LucíaSí, tengo un bote aquí en mi bolsa.Yes, I have a can here in my bag.
- AlejandroPerfecto, gracias por ayudarme.Perfect, thanks for helping me.
- LucíaDe nada, Alejandro. ¡Vamos a jugar!You're welcome, Alejandro. Let's play!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, pelota, tenis, CC BY-SA 4.0.
