This is the 4408th most frequent Portuguese word.
bala
Candy or bullet.
Here, 'bala' is used to refer to a type of candy, specifically a mint-flavored one.
Eu comprei uma bala de menta na loja.
I bought a mint candy at the store.
In this sentence, 'bala' refers to a bullet or a projectile that is fired from a weapon.
Ela ouviu o som de uma bala disparada à distância.
She heard the sound of a bullet fired in the distance.
In this context, 'bala' is used metaphorically to describe something moving very fast, comparing its speed to that of a bullet.