This is the 7115th most frequent Dutch word.
ballen
The Dutch word "ballen" can mean "balls" (plural of "bal") or "to clench" (as in forming a fist).
Here, 'ballen' is used as a verb meaning 'to play ball games' or 'to play sports involving balls'.
We gingen ballen bij het sportveld.
We went playing ball games at the sports field.
Here, 'ballen' is used idiomatically to mean 'courage'.
Hij heeft de ballen niet om de waarheid te vertellen.
He doesn't have the guts to tell the truth.
In this sentence, 'ballen' refers to physical spherical objects, such as sports balls.