Spanish Conversation · Level 72
60 words
Spanish word
bolígrafo
Pronunciation
IPA/boˈliɣɾafo/
Meaning
- masculine nounballpoint pen
Example
¿Me prestas tu bolígrafo, por favor?
Can you lend me your ballpoint pen, please?
More examples
Siempre llevo un bolígrafo en el bolsillo.
I always carry a ballpoint pen in my pocket.
Core concept
A pen whose tiny rotating metal ball transfers liquid ink to paper.
Common phrases
bolígrafo azul
blue ballpoint pen
bolígrafo de gel
gel ballpoint pen
bolígrafo recargable
refillable ballpoint pen
bolígrafo barato
cheap ballpoint pen
Similar words
lapicero: Delivers ink through its tip in a compact, hand-held form for everyday writing.
pluma: Feeds liquid ink from an internal reservoir to a nib or tip for steady writing.
lápiz: Makes marks by dragging a solid graphite core across paper, usually erasable.
marcador: Marks paper or boards with dense, brightly colored ink from a broad, absorbent tip.
Definition in Spanish
Instrumento de escritura con depósito de tinta líquida y una punta esférica que permite trazar líneas continuas al rodar la bola.
Word origin
From Spanish bola 'ball' plus the element -grafo (from Greek gráphō 'to write'), originally coined to describe a 'ball-writing' instrument that lays ink as the ball rolls.
Usage tips
- Native speakers commonly shorten bolígrafo to boli in casual requests, so boli is often understood in everyday conversation.
Other meanings
- pennoun