animales
/ah-nee-MAH-les/
animals
The literal meaning of animales refers to living creatures.
📝 In Action
En el zoológico vimos muchos animales exóticos.
A1In the zoo, we saw many exotic animals.
Los animales domésticos necesitan mucho cuidado y amor.
A2Domestic animals need a lot of care and love.
El comportamiento de los animales marinos es fascinante.
B1The behavior of marine animals is fascinating.
💡 Grammar Points
Masculine Plural Rule
Even though 'animales' refers to creatures regardless of sex, the word itself is always treated as masculine in Spanish. You use 'los' (the) or masculine adjectives like 'muchos' (many) with it.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the wrong article
Mistake: "Las animales viven en el bosque."
Correction: Los animales viven en el bosque. (Remember to use the masculine plural 'los'.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Singular Form
The singular form is 'animal.' You simply add '-es' to make it plural, which is the standard rule for nouns ending in a consonant.
Animales can also be used metaphorically to describe people who are rowdy or unruly.
animales(noun)
wild people
?when describing rowdy or unruly people
savages
?rude or uncivilized behavior
,idiots
?meaning 'stupid people'
📝 In Action
¡Comportaos! Parecéis animales en esta fiesta.
B2Behave yourselves! You look like savages at this party.
Esos conductores son unos animales, no respetan las señales.
C1Those drivers are beasts (meaning: reckless/stupid), they don't respect the signs.
💡 Grammar Points
Figurative Use
Using 'animales' to describe people is always a strong critique of their behavior, usually implying a lack of manners, intelligence, or control.
⭐ Usage Tips
Tone Warning
Be careful using this meaning! It is highly informal and considered an insult, so use it only among close friends or when expressing strong disapproval.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: animales
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'animales' to mean rude, unruly people?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 'animales' masculine, even when referring to female animals?
In Spanish, the noun 'animal' (and its plural 'animales') is inherently masculine. It refers to the concept of 'creature' regardless of sex. You only change the gender of the adjective used to describe a specific animal if its sex is known (e.g., 'la leona' is a female lion, but the word 'animal' itself remains masculine).