Spanish word

mascota

Pronunciation

IPA/masˈkota/

Meaning

  • feminine nounpet

Example

Mi mascota come todos los días.

My pet eats every day.

Illustration for mascota (pet)

More examples

Adopté una mascota el fin de semana pasado.

I adopted a pet last weekend.

Core concept

Household companion animal that receives care and attention.

Common phrases

  • tener una mascota

    have a pet

  • adoptar una mascota

    adopt a pet

  • cuidar a la mascota

    care for the pet

Similar words

animal de compañía: Animal kept specifically to share time with and provide companionship to people.
animal doméstico: Animal living inside the home, kept as part of the household environment.

Definition in Spanish

Animal que recibe cuidados y atención de personas para compañía, no para trabajo.

Word origin

Via French mascotte from Provençal mascoto meaning 'talisman' or 'spell', the sense shifted from 'lucky charm' to 'animal kept for company'.

Usage tips

  • When asking about pet ownership, Spanish speakers commonly use the plural '¿Tienes mascotas?' to talk about having pets in general.

Other meanings

  • mascotnoun

Opposites

  • animal salvajewild animalnoun

Word lists with this word