Spanish Conversation · Level 143
45 words
Spanish word
garra
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈgara/
Meaning
- feminine nounclaw
Example
El gato afiló las garras antes de saltar.
The cat sharpened its claws before jumping.
More examples
El perro sacó las garras cuando llegó el desconocido.
The dog bared its claws when the stranger arrived.
Core concept
Curved sharp talon on a bird or mammal toe used to seize prey or scratch.
Common phrases
sacar las garras
bare one's claws
rascar con las garras
scratch with one's claws
Similar words
uña: Thin flat nail on a human or animal fingertip or toe, protecting the tip.
Definition in Spanish
Uña córnea y puntiaguda en los dedos o las patas de ciertos animales, característica para rascar o agarrar.
Word origin
Attested in medieval Spanish as garra and lacking a securely identified Latin ancestor, so the deeper origin remains uncertain.
Usage tips
- The rr in garra signals a strong trilled r in Spanish and the initial g is a hard g as in go, so pronunciation differs from many English speakers' expectations.
Other meanings
- talonnoun
- fighting spiritnoun