How to say "ball" in Japanese

• ボールJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounThe everyday loanword for a ball used in sports and games — a baseball, soccer ball, or toy ball to throw, kick, or bounce. This is the word you want for a physical play ball.
• 玉たまJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounA small round object such as a bead, marble, or gem; it also covers the balls used in billiards. For a sports ball, ボール is the word you want instead.
• 球きゅうJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounA sphere or ball, with a technical flavor; largely a compound element, it is the word for a sphere in mathematics and science, and can also mean a light bulb.
• 球体きゅうたいCommon
  nounA solid, ball-shaped body — a three-dimensional round form. More descriptive or technical than ボール, it is used when the shape itself is what matters, not a toy or sports ball.

Use 「ボール」 for sports and play balls, 玉 for small round objects such as beads or marbles, 球 for spheres in technical and compound usage, and 球体 for a solid body of spherical shape.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• ボールball
• 玉たまball
• 球きゅうsphere
• 鞠まりball (for sport, games, etc.)
• 舞踏会ぶとうかいball
• ダンスパーティーdance
• 球体きゅうたいball