animal
/a-ni-'mal/
animal
The word animal often refers to any living creature, such as this friendly dog.
animal(Noun)
animal
?living creature
beast
?often literary or slightly negative
,creature
?general term
📝 In Action
El perro es un animal doméstico muy leal.
A1The dog is a very loyal domestic animal.
Estudiamos la vida de los animales en el bosque.
A2We studied the life of the animals in the forest.
Según la biología, todos somos animales.
B1According to biology, we are all animals.
💡 Grammar Points
Fixed Gender
Even though a creature might be female, the noun animal itself always stays masculine (un animal).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the wrong article
Mistake: "La animal es peligrosa."
Correction: El animal es peligroso. (Remember to use 'el' because 'animal' is a masculine word.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Referring to groups
Use los animales to refer to a group of creatures, even if the group includes both male and female individuals.
When used as an adjective, animal can describe someone who is clumsy in their actions.
animal(Adjective)
clumsy
?in actions
,stupid
?lacking common sense
brutish
?lacking manners
,reckless
?when describing driving or actions
📝 In Action
¡Qué animal! Rompió el jarrón por no mirar.
B2How clumsy (or 'what an idiot')! He broke the vase because he wasn't looking.
Este conductor es muy animal, va a 140 km/h en la ciudad.
C1This driver is very reckless, he’s going 140 km/h in the city.
💡 Grammar Points
Informal Adjective Use
When used this way, animal is often used as a descriptive noun/adjective that usually means 'reckless person' or 'oaf' and is applied directly to the person being criticized.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the literal meaning
Mistake: "Un policía le dijo que era un animal (expecting him to be literally a non-human creature)."
Correction: This is almost always hyperbole, meaning the person is acting wildly or irresponsibly, not that they are literally a beast.
⭐ Usage Tips
Tone Warning
Use this meaning only in informal or very familiar settings. It is always a criticism or an exaggerated complaint.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: animal
Question 1 of 1
¿Cuál de estas oraciones usa 'animal' en su sentido informal y crítico?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
¿El género de 'animal' cambia si hablo de un animal hembra?
No. La palabra 'animal' siempre es masculina, usando 'el' o 'un'. Por ejemplo: 'La ballena (que es hembra) es un animal muy grande'.
¿Cómo puedo evitar ofender a alguien si uso 'animal' como insulto?
Es mejor evitar usarlo como insulto con personas que no conoces bien. Es una palabra informal y, aunque es común, puede sonar muy brusca. Úsala solo con amigos cercanos para expresar sorpresa o frustración por algo torpe que hicieron.