Balling

American Slang Term American ★★★★☆ Common informal
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Meaning: Living a luxurious, extravagant lifestyle; spending freely.

过着奢华、阔绰的生活;挥金如土。
Vivir un estilo de vida lujoso y extravagante; gastar sin mirar.
豪華で贅沢な生活を送っていること。惜しみなくお金を使うこと。
호화롭고 사치스러운 생활을 하고 있는 것; 돈을 아끼지 않고 쓰는 것.

'Balling' describes living the high life — expensive cars, designer clothes, VIP treatment. Originally from basketball (playing ball), it evolved to mean living like a rich athlete. 'Ballin'' is the more common spelling in hip-hop contexts.

'Balling'形容的是过着上流生活——豪车、名牌衣服、VIP待遇。最初源自篮球(打球),后来演变为像有钱运动员一样生活。在嘻哈文化中,'Ballin''是更常见的拼法。
'Balling' describe vivir la gran vida — coches caros, ropa de marca, trato VIP. Originalmente viene del baloncesto (jugar a la pelota), pero evolucionó para significar vivir como un atleta rico. 'Ballin'' es la grafía más habitual en contextos de hip-hop.
「balling」は派手な暮らし——高級車、ブランド服、VIP待遇——を表す。元々はバスケットボール(playing ball)に由来し、裕福なアスリートのような暮らしを意味するようになった。ヒップホップでは「ballin'」というスペルがより一般的。
'볼링(balling)'은 상류층의 삶을 사는 것을 뜻한다 — 비싼 차, 명품 옷, VIP 대우. 원래 농구(ball)에서 유래했으며, 부유한 운동선수처럼 사는 것을 의미하게 되었다. 힙합에서는 'Ballin''이라는 철자가 더 흔하다.

Examples

  1. Look at him — new car, new watch — he's balling.
    看看他——新车、新表——完全是土豪生活(balling)。
    Mírale — coche nuevo, reloj nuevo — está viviendo a lo grande (balling).
    見ろよ——新車に新しい時計——あいつ完全にセレブ生活だな。
    저 사람 봐——새 차에 새 시계——완전 럭셔리 생활이네.
  2. She's been balling ever since that promotion.
    自从升职以来,她一直过着奢华的日子。
    Desde el ascenso no para de darse la gran vida.
    あの昇進以来、彼女は贅沢三昧だ。
    그녀는 승진 이후로 쭉 호화로운 생활을 하고 있어.
  3. We were balling on vacation — five-star hotel, private tours, the works.
    我们度假的时候可奢侈了——五星级酒店、私人导览,全套享受。
    En las vacaciones nos lo pasamos a lo grande (balling) — hotel cinco estrellas, excursiones privadas, de todo.
    バケーションでは豪遊したよ——五つ星ホテル、プライベートツアー、何でもあり。
    우리 휴가 때 완전 럭셔리하게 보냈어——5성급 호텔, 프라이빗 투어, 다 했지.

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: hip-hop, lifestyle, social media, casual conversation

Tone: impressed, aspirational

✓ Do Say

  • He's balling right now.
    他现在过得可阔了。
    Ahora mismo está viviendo a todo tren (He's balling right now).
    あいつ今めちゃくちゃ羽振りがいいよ。
    그 사람 지금 완전 럭셔리 생활이야.
  • We were straight-up balling.
    我们当时真是过着土豪生活。
    Estuvimos a lo grande (We were straight-up balling).
    俺たちマジで豪遊してたよ。
    우리 완전 호화롭게 놀았어.

✗ Don't Say

  • Implies genuine wealth — using it for modest spending sounds like you're exaggerating
    暗示真正的富裕——用在小额消费上会显得太夸张
    Implica riqueza de verdad — usarlo para gastos modestos suena a exageración
    本当の裕福さを示唆する——ささやかな出費に使うと大げさに聞こえる
    진짜 부를 암시한다 — 소소한 소비에 쓰면 과장처럼 들린다

Origin & History

From basketball culture — 'balling' meant playing basketball. Extended in 1990s hip-hop to describe the lavish lifestyle of successful athletes and rappers. The 2004 Jim Jones song 'Ballin'' helped cement the meaning.

Cultural Context

Era: 1990s onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

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