Spanish Conversation · Level 39
74 words
Spanish word
animal
Pronunciation
IPA/aniˈmal/
Meaning
- masculine nounanimal
Example
El animal está en el bosque.
The animal is in the forest.
More examples
Mi hermano adoptó un animal de compañía.
My brother adopted a pet.
Core concept
Breathing, moving multicellular organism.
Common phrases
animal de compañía
pet
animal salvaje
wild animal
animal doméstico
domestic animal
Similar words
criatura: Living creature, real or imaginary.
bicho: Small insect or unpleasant little critter, used informally.
bestia: Large, powerful animal that appears fierce and untamed.
Definition in Spanish
Organismo multicelular que respira, se mueve y responde a estímulos, distinto de las plantas.
Word origin
The word derives from Latin anima 'breath, soul' with the suffix -alis, originally meaning 'having breath' and later used in Spanish to denote animals.
Usage tips
- Although a direct cognate of English animal, it can be used colloquially as an insult in Spanish (for example, 'eres un animal') to call someone brutish.