Spanish word

ganso

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈganso/

Meaning

  • masculine noungoose

Example

Vi un ganso en el parque.

I saw a goose in the park.

Illustration for ganso (goose)

More examples

¡No hagas el ganso delante de todos!

Don't act the fool in front of everyone!

Core concept

Large waterfowl with a heavy body, long neck, and waddling gait.

Common phrases

  • hacer el ganso

    act the fool

  • pluma de ganso

    goose feather

  • ganso salvaje

    wild goose

Similar words

pato: Rounded waterbird with webbed feet that commonly swims in ponds and rivers.
oca: Goose kept on farms or in fields, often raised by people.
cisne: Large white waterbird with a long neck that swims and glides gracefully.
gansa: Adult female goose.

Definition in Spanish

Ave herbívora de cuerpo robusto y cuello largo; también, en uso familiar, persona que actúa con torpeza o poca inteligencia.

Word origin

Ganso derives from Latin anser via Romance sound changes and the bird's ungainly build gives rise to a familiar sense 'fool' or 'clumsy person'.

Usage tips

  • Ganso is common as a mild insult in casual speech, and speakers often choose torpe or despistado for a more neutral description.

Other meanings

  • foolnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • gansadafoolish actnoun
  • gansafemale goosenoun

Word lists with this word