Spanish word

ladrar

Pronunciation

IPA/laˈðɾaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbbark

Example

Mi perro ladra cada vez que suena el timbre.

My dog barks every time the doorbell rings.

Illustration for ladrar (bark)

More examples

El vecino siempre se queja cuando los perros ladran temprano.

The neighbor always complains when the dogs bark early.

Core concept

A dog making short repeated barks to alert, threaten, or respond to stimuli.

Common phrases

  • ladrar al ver a alguien

    bark on seeing someone

  • ladrar por la calle

    bark in the street

  • ladrar cuando está solo

    bark when alone

Similar words

gritar: Shouts loudly to call attention or to express anger or excitement.
gruñir: Emits a low, rumbling growl as a sign of displeasure or a defensive warning.
aullar: Produces long, drawn-out howls that carry far and often sound mournful.
chillar: Emits a very high, sharp cry that signals panic, pain, or acute alarm.

Definition in Spanish

Producir sonidos cortos y repetidos propios de los perros para avisar, amenazar o responder a estímulos.

Word origin

Ladrar comes from Latin latrāre, an onomatopoeic verb for dogs' barking that entered Spanish through the Romance languages.

Usage tips

  • Often used intransitively, and when indicating who or what is barked at Spanish commonly uses 'ladra a ...', while it also appears figuratively in the proverb 'Perro que ladra no muerde'.

Opposites

Related words

  • ladridobarknoun

Word lists with this word