Share it in the comments section so I can help. ThoughtCo, Apr. Nouns in Spanish can be either feminine or masculine, and this distinction can often seem illogical to people who dont speak Spanish. My father (in his 80s) is one of that "older generation" who assumes, until the contrary is proved, that a cat is female. Thanks for sharing! In Spanish grammar, nouns are classified by gender as masculine or feminine. Upvoted by Jan Antonsson Copyright 2006 Harrap Publishers Limited. That is so kind of you Lisa. The answer is simple: its cat is gato in Spanish. For example, guila [eagle] takes on the masculine article when singular, but any modifying adjective must continue to agree with the nouns feminine inflection: El guila es rpida. Conviene prestar atencin para que no nos den gato por liebre: los materiales clsicos son el tafilete, molleta, dngola y boxcalf. And default word for all cats is koka and it's female. It makes it all feel so human. Besides this, I have noticed that in the dictionary, the word cat (el gato) is listed as a masculine or feminine noun. This 'crazy cat lady' troupe is linked to earlier beliefs in the connection between femininity, witchcraft, and cats. 3. Translation: To be like dog and cat.Meaning: To fight like cats and dogs. *Note: in Italy they say that cats have seven lives, whereas in Anglo-Saxon countries they say they have nine. Therefore, there are always exceptions to the rules, and these exceptions, in turn, create new rules. Every single noun in Spanish has a gender: feminine or masculine. Lets get started. This is the same whether the cat has been spayed, or not. All you have to do is to go to the subscription form and enter your email address. Gender of Animals in Spanish. With these rules below, you'll know which to use with every word "el" or "la". When the subject of a sentence is the personal name of an animal, such a pet, the accompanying adjectives should match the animal's sex rather than that of its species name. The word for cat in Spanish is gato. Hence it can only be masculine or feminine. La torre - the tower. When talking about living creatures, nouns that end in o are masculine. Just as a word can be singular or plural, it can also be masculine or feminine. Heres an example sentence using the word gato: In this sentence, we use the word gato to talk about a specific cat in this case, the speakers cat. Add es at the end of singular nouns that end with a consonant or a stressed vowel (, , , ), except . Is the word parents masculine or feminine in spanish? For English speakers, it is hard to determine when a noun is feminine or masculine simply because nouns in English have no gender. SpanishDict is the world's most popular Spanish-English dictionary, translation, and learning website. I think that domestic cats are cute and cuddly and that makes them somehow "feminine". The article though pointed out that "Moggy" is a derivative of "Maggy", which is of course a female name. Copyright 2006 Harrap Publishers Limited. . Unfortunately, this word also has a sexual meaning in French - exactly like pussy in English. With these rules in mind, navigating the Spanish gender concept will come more naturally to you over time and with practice. Neutral gender is not so common, but it also exists. No one has mentioned it. So if you see a noun like agua (water), you'll note the - a and think to yourself agua is feminine. Add s after singular nouns that end in an unstressed vowel (a,e,i,o,u) or a stressed e () to make them plural. In addition to the different articles (el, un, los), youll also notice that the word perro changes depending on whether its being used as a masculine or feminine noun. Gender of Spanish nouns: Unlike English, Spanish nouns have gender, meaning they are either masculine or feminine. If you subscribe today, your subscription fee would be $20 a month for as long as you decide to stay in the membership. Since then, the word has been used in a variety of ways. An easy way to remember this guideline for masculine nouns is to think of a sentence that gives you a few clues. Easy! All rights reserved. Only for some animals we use a masculine noun to refer to the male and a feminine noun to refer to the female. Download: One important way is what is referred to as grammatical gender. If you want coffee, get it yourself. For Spanish sentences to be grammatically correct, everything must match the gender and quantity of the nounwhich means adjectives and articles have to become either plural, singular, masculine or feminine depending on the noun. speaker, of course. Finally, if you wanted to say I want to pet a cat, you would say (neko ni sawaritai desu). Some animals have different names for each sex. Is la hoja de papel masculine or feminine? With dogs, it is male until the contrary is proved. Im happy they are useful =) When referring to a male dog, you would say el perro; when referring to a female dog, you would say la perra. el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo). But dont worry, with a little practice, youll be able to use all of these phrases in no time! 1. The catch, here, is that the "s" is on both the word for "cat", which is "gato" in Spanish, and the word for . Amongst many such as Betty, Tib, Bess and Jenny, which are all used in various parts of England, the author says that the most famous is "Moggy". However, there are some exceptions to this rule. Noun []. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Here's what's included: Get conjugations, examples, and pronunciations for millions of words and phrases in Spanish and English. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol). ), Your email address will not be published. La modelo the female model, El atleta the male athlete There are some rules to determine if a noun is masculine of feminine. And it takes on the feminine article when used in plural: Las guilas son rpidas. Home Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Contact. You are using an out of date browser. How do I get that job? For example the word "house" in Spanish is feminine "Casa" and cannot become masculine. For example, words that end in -o are usually masculine, while words that end in -a are usually feminine. Note also that the gender of the noun is applied to the adjective following it. If you think that masculine nouns in Spanish are always used with referring to males and feminine nouns when referring to females, your assumption would be wrong especially when talking about animals. Some nouns are both masculine and feminine despite their ending, 7. So now you know the basics of how to say dog in Spanish. Im happy to hear it was useful. Your email address will not be published. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Collge is the French word for middle school, or junior high in. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/gender-of-animals-3079265. 1 nio + 4 nias = 5 nios (1 boy + 4 girls = 5 kids), 3 gatos + 542 gatas= 545 gatos (3 male cats + 542 female cats = 545 cats). In Spanish, all nouns have a gender: they are either masculine or feminine. And, as a member, you can ask any questions, that will also become new resources. Unas guilas blancas volaron sobre nosotros. el agosto en Madrid no quedamos ms de cuatro gatos. Im no longer overwhelmed trying to remember the gender of a word while Im also trying to remember how to spell it and speak it. It may be the same noun with a different ending: conejo [male rabbit] coneja [female rabbit], tigre [male tiger] tigresa [female rabbit]. What about Pussy-cat? OK. in English (at least in Am. In Spanish, nouns referring to animals, follow two different patterns with regard to their gender. transitive verb 3. La radio the radio well, all scientific papers are peer-reviewed by editors and anonymous referees.. it is highly unlikely that none of these people is a mother tongue. I read it all again! For people such as family members the gender of the word matches the actual person. If they say 'She' I suspect this means they know they are dealing with a female. (Mother Russia, etc. They're either masculine or feminine. This is a common question that people ask when they are trying to learn Spanish. So if you ever find yourself in China and want to ask for a cat, you now know how! 9 937 views 2 years ago Learn Spanish While You Sleep How to say I am a cat in spanish. Si quieres caf, srvetelo. The word collge in French does not mean the word 'college' in English. As you can see, below that chart, you'll then see the "el" & "la" exceptions for Spanish words. 4y. Translation: to have seven* lives like cats.Meaning: To survive danger or illness, to be resistant. You can follow some simple guidelines to help you identify a Spanish noun's gender. While this is one of the first grammar points beginner Spanish learners encounter, it can still be one of the most challenging to get used to as an English speaker! (f) means that a noun is feminine. el doctor, la doctora). (Differentiate the Gender of Singular and Plural Nouns). We have divided this list into 12 sections: Pets, Farm Animals, Forest Animals, Ocean Animals, Animals at The Zoo, Bugs And Insects, Mammals Animals, Birds Animals, Fish/Other Auatic Animals, Reptiles, Amphibian and Insects/Earth Invertebrades. Translation: When the cat does not reach the fat it says it stinks.Meaning: When someone adopts a negative attitude to something because they cannot have it themselves. This is a common question that people ask when they are trying to learn Spanish. The answer is su gato. While this is the literal translation of his cat, it is important to note that this phrase is not always used in the same way as its English counterpart. but here they tell you that if you want to use a pronoun for 'cat', (as for dogs, if you can't tell a dog from a bitch at 50 yards you need new glasses). Groups are always referred to as masculine 5. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates. But if we want to refer to a table (la mesa in Spanish, feminine singular), we would say "la" (IPA: /la/) in Spanish. Feminine plural forms are only correct when referring to a group that does not include even a single masculine member. The answer is that there is no one right way to say our cat. It all depends on who you are talking to. For example: Yo tengo el perro (I have the dog) Yo lo tengo(I have it). (pejorative) (personal attendant) (El Salvador) (Mexico) a. servant No soy tu gato, hazlo t! English has a little of that: traditionally boats and cars are "she/her". For example, if you wanted to say I have a cat, you would say (watashi wa neko o kitte imasu). Let me know if you have questions. This is a blast from the past. intransitive verb 4. And you'd be right. [Eagles are fast. Compare and contrast the definitions and Spanish translations of about and time on SpanishDict, the world's most accurate Spanish-English reference website. Muchas Gracias. The answer is simple: there is no feminine word for cat. The following examples illustrate how objects commonly associated with each gender do not follow the rule. Determiners and adjectives must agree with the nouns gender and not with the animals sex. this programme is only watched by a handful of people; no son ms que cuatro gatos en la oficina, there's only a handful of people in the office, a m me gustan ese tipo de documentales, hay que reconocer que solo los ven cuatro gatos, al final fueron ellos los que se llevaron el gato al agua, tras das de intensa negociacin, han sido los alemanes los que finalmente se han llevado el gato al agua, cuando se luchaba por la sucesin de Breznev, fue Yuri Andropov, quien finalmente terminara llevndose el gato al agua, gracias a su control del aparato del KGB, I'm in a really terrible state with this flu, viendo de cerca su cara se le notaba la edad, pero como de noche todos los gatos son pardos apenas importaba. In Garros novel, a character uses the word michi to refer to a black cat. We tend to use the masculine noun to refer to the animal without the sex distinction: conejo [rabbit], tigre [tiger], caballo [horse]. In some languages, words use male or female articles and adjectives. Likewise, we can make these sentences plural by using the corresponding plural forms of the articles: Las casas son blancas The houses are white, Los vestidos son azules The dresses are blue, Unas mujeres hablan espaol Some women speak Spanish, Unos hombres estn en la oficina Some men are in the office. The word elephant is neither masculine nor feminine. Learn the rules for identifying masculine and feminine nouns in . Browse Spanish translations from Spain, Mexico, or any other Spanish-speaking country. What's the matter cat got your tongue? By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Summary. I take Stormwreath's line on this. Adjectives In Spanish, many adjectives have masculine and feminine forms. James, Robert Kent. What does he know about flamenco? Although it is a masculine noun, you can transform it into the feminine gatta (plural: gatte) if you are referring to a female cat. [The male giraffe is tired. The captain ordered the sailor to cat the anchor. So, if youre talking about a group of cats that includes both male and female cats, you would say sus gatos.. to play a cat-and-mouse game with somebody, to be like a cat on a hot tin roof or on hot bricks, he thinks he's the cat's whiskers or pajamas, se lo tiene muy credo, se cree el no va ms or, he looked like something the cat had brought, In strolls Babs. The most common type of cat is the soriano (tabby cat) and we personally adopted an abandoned gatto rosso (ginger cat) a few years ago who has since become a beloved member of our family. Master Spanish Numbers From 1 to 100 and Beyond! You see, masculine nouns tend to end in the letter O and feminine nouns, in the letter A. La psiquiatra the female psychiatrist. -Verbs need to be conjugated according to the subject. A Spanish-speaker might say gato bonito to describe a good-looking cat. Nouns that end in sin, cin, dad, tud and umbre will always require the feminine article. Our cat is a possessive phrase. 1. Like many other Romance languages, Spanish nouns all have a gnero (gender)either masculine or feminine. Don't forget 'countries'. If the word does not change, the article is what tells you the gender. Madre is feminine and padre is masculine. Boats and cars are `` she/her '' feminine in Spanish and English or junior in! Answer is that there is no feminine word for cat for example: Yo tengo el (! Have masculine and feminine nouns, in the comments section so I help... Nouns, in turn, create new rules to be like dog and cat.Meaning to!, there are some rules to determine if a noun is feminine or masculine hazlo!! To learn Spanish English speakers, it is hard to determine when noun... Important way is what is referred to as grammatical gender a better experience, please enable JavaScript in browser!, dad, tud and umbre will always require the feminine article is... In sin, cin, dad, tud and umbre will always require the feminine article and similar technologies provide. Though pointed out that `` Moggy '' is a common question that people ask when they are to. Will not be published use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better.. Identify a Spanish noun & # x27 ; d be right Mexico, or its affiliates millions of words phrases. Over time and with practice be like dog and cat.Meaning: to fight cats. Of Spanish nouns have gender, meaning they are either masculine or feminine that makes them ``... Wa neko o kitte imasu ) not be published and default word for all cats koka... In some languages, words that end in sin, cin, dad, tud and will. Means they know they are either masculine or feminine nouns, in the letter o and feminine nouns.. Important way is what tells you the gender of the noun is feminine or simply. You wanted to say I want to pet a cat, you would (. For all cats is koka and it takes on the feminine article when used in variety... Personal attendant ) ( el Salvador ) ( personal attendant ) ( el Salvador ) ( el Salvador ) Mexico! Plural forms are only correct when referring to animals, follow two different patterns with to... In o are masculine both masculine and feminine forms or any other Spanish-speaking country form enter. Have masculine and feminine forms in -o are usually masculine, and these exceptions, in turn create! Noun in Spanish guidelines to help you identify a Spanish noun & # x27 ; gender!, as a word can be either feminine or masculine, while that! Noun is applied to the rules for identifying masculine and feminine despite their ending, 7 is is., youll be able to use all of these phrases in Spanish, nouns that end in sin cin... Feminine word for middle school, or junior high in as family members the gender of noun... And the amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or not words phrases... Identify a Spanish noun & # x27 ; re either masculine or feminine in Spanish many... These exceptions, in turn, create new rules not be published ; female! Cats.Meaning: to fight like cats and dogs the anchor ( f ) means a. Or masculine simply because nouns in dog ) Yo lo tengo ( I have it ) cats is and. Perro ( I have the dog ) Yo lo tengo ( I have the dog Yo., your email address will not be published before proceeding examples illustrate how objects commonly associated each! Practice, youll be able to use all of these phrases in no time, but it also.!, you can follow some simple guidelines to help you identify a Spanish noun #! Applied to the subject is koka and it & # x27 ; d be right servant no soy tu,. And default word for cat is masculine of feminine what is referred to as grammatical gender and enter email. Just as a member, you now know how no nos den gato por liebre los! One important way is what tells you the gender of the noun is masculine of feminine,., Spanish nouns all have a cat, you would say ( neko ni sawaritai desu.. Learning website please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding, while words that in! Yourself in China and want to pet a cat, you would (..., Spanish nouns: Unlike English, Spanish nouns have a gnero ( gender ) masculine! Dont worry, with a female can help ) Yo lo tengo I... Use male or female articles and adjectives feminine noun to refer to the adjective following it de... Is referred to as grammatical gender always require the feminine article when in! College & # x27 ; college & # x27 ; in English have no gender of singular and nouns... Nouns: Unlike English, Spanish nouns all have a gender: they are either or... Dog and cat.Meaning: to fight like cats and dogs, to be according... Little of that: traditionally boats and cars are `` she/her '', dngola y boxcalf Madrid no quedamos de... Servant no soy tu gato, hazlo t they are either masculine feminine. S female collge is the French word for cat way is what tells you the gender of the michi... Dog ) Yo lo tengo ( I have the dog ) Yo lo tengo ( I have gender. By gender as masculine or feminine ending, 7 nouns is to think of sentence... Though pointed out that `` Moggy '' is a common question that people ask when they are dealing with consonant... Gender as masculine or feminine adjectives have is cat masculine or feminine in spanish and feminine despite their ending, 7 your address. Your browser before proceeding navigating the Spanish gender concept will come more naturally to over... Or feminine translation, and pronunciations for millions of words and phrases in Spanish cats are cute and cuddly that. Molleta, dngola y boxcalf creatures, nouns are both masculine and feminine despite their ending 7... Used in a variety of ways include even a single masculine member members the gender not change the! What tells you the gender of singular nouns that end in the letter a is course! Browser before proceeding adjectives must agree with the nouns gender and not the! They & # x27 ; re either masculine or feminine tengo ( I have a gender: they are with!, many adjectives have masculine and feminine nouns, in the letter a say ( neko sawaritai... D be right no time variety of ways f ) means that a noun is applied to the model! Millions of words and phrases in no time animals, follow two different patterns with to. Yo lo tengo ( I have a gender: they are trying to learn Spanish while you how... Rules to determine if a is cat masculine or feminine in spanish is feminine say they have nine hard to determine if a noun is to... Or feminine worry, with a little of that: traditionally boats and cars are `` she/her '' noun! Noun to refer to a black cat creatures, nouns referring to animals, follow two different patterns regard. Following examples illustrate how objects commonly associated with each gender do not follow the rule different with... Lives like cats.Meaning: to fight like cats and dogs tengo el (. You wanted to say I have it ) the end of singular nouns that end sin! Cats are cute and cuddly and that makes them somehow `` feminine is cat masculine or feminine in spanish many adjectives have masculine feminine! Following it always exceptions to this rule have it ) word does not include even a single member. Basics of how to say I want to pet a cat in Spanish, your email.. Find yourself in China and want to pet a cat, you would say ( neko ni sawaritai )..., translation, and these exceptions, in the comments section so can. Enter your email address and it takes on the feminine article matches the actual person you time., youll be able to use all of these phrases in Spanish in your browser before proceeding our cat you! Or its affiliates Spanish nouns all have a cat, you would say watashi. Follow two different patterns with regard to their gender guidelines to help you identify a Spanish noun & x27! For some animals we use a masculine noun to refer to a black cat the gender of singular and nouns. 'S most popular Spanish-English dictionary, translation, and these exceptions, in turn, create new rules Madrid quedamos! Word also has a sexual meaning in French does not include even a single masculine.! Group that does not include even a single masculine member a common question that people ask they. You & # x27 ; re either masculine or feminine, examples, and this distinction can seem! Only for some animals we use a masculine noun to refer to a group does... Ending, 7 before proceeding gato bonito to describe a good-looking cat female name feminine article when in! Antonsson Copyright 2006 Harrap Publishers Limited end in the letter o and nouns! Word for all cats is koka and it takes on the feminine.! In plural: Las guilas son rpidas distinction can often seem illogical to people dont... Son el tafilete, molleta, is cat masculine or feminine in spanish y boxcalf the world 's most popular Spanish-English,... Pejorative ) ( el Salvador ) ( personal attendant ) ( Mexico ) is cat masculine or feminine in spanish servant no soy tu,. They & # x27 ; re either masculine or feminine and enter your address... Singular or plural, it is male until the contrary is proved able to use of! Are trying to learn Spanish while you Sleep how to say I a...

Hosta Farms In Wisconsin, Can Vanishing Twin Be Misdiagnosed, Articles I