Spanish word

ratón

Pronunciation

IPA/raˈton/

Meaning

  • masculine nounmouse

Example

Vi un ratón en el jardín.

I saw a mouse in the garden.

Illustration for ratón (mouse)

More examples

Compré un ratón nuevo para el ordenador.

I bought a new computer mouse.

Core concept

Small brown rodent often active at night and quick to scurry.

Common phrases

  • ratón de ordenador

    computer mouse

  • ratón de campo

    field mouse

  • ratón de biblioteca

    bookworm

Similar words

rata: Larger, sturdy rodent that commonly infests homes and damages food or property.
roedor: Member of the rodent family with strong front teeth that grow continuously for gnawing.
ratoncito: Extremely small, charming mouse that signals cuteness or tenderness.

Definition in Spanish

Animal mamífero del orden de los roedores, normalmente pequeño y nocturno; en contextos tecnológicos, palabra también usada para el dispositivo apuntador.

Word origin

It comes from Latin rattus and, by regular medieval sound changes, becomes ratón and later names the computer pointing device because the device's shape and cord recall an animal's tail.

Usage tips

  • English speakers often omit the written accent and write raton, which misleads about stress, and when ambiguity arises the phrase ratón de ordenador or a clarifying adjective indicates the device.

Other meanings

  • computer mousenoun

Related words

  • ratoneramousetrapnoun
  • ratoncitolittle mousenoun
  • ratonerorat-catchernoun

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