cachorro
/ka-CHOH-rroh/
puppy
A 'cachorro' is most commonly known as a puppy.
cachorro(noun)
puppy
?a young dog
cub
?a young lion, bear, or wolf
,kitten
?occasionally used for young cats, though 'gatito' is more common
📝 In Action
Mi perro todavía es un cachorro.
A1My dog is still a puppy.
Vimos a un cachorro de león en el zoológico.
A2We saw a lion cub at the zoo.
La perra cuida a sus cinco cachorros.
A1The dog is taking care of her five puppies.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender of Baby Animals
Use 'cachorro' for a male or unknown gender baby animal, and 'cachorra' for a female one.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Don't use for humans
Mistake: "Calling a human baby 'un cachorro'."
Correction: Use 'bebé' for humans. 'Cachorro' is strictly for animals unless you are being very poetic or metaphorical.
⭐ Usage Tips
Which animal?
While it mostly means 'puppy,' you can specify the animal by saying 'cachorro de...' (e.g., 'cachorro de tigre' for a tiger cub).
In certain contexts, 'cachorro' can also refer to a young member of a group or organization.
cachorro(noun)
youngster
?a young person in a political or social group
junior
?a young person following in the footsteps of elders
📝 In Action
Los cachorros del partido quieren cambios rápidos.
B2The party youngsters want quick changes.
⭐ Usage Tips
Figurative Meaning
This is similar to calling someone a 'young gun' in English—it implies they are young, energetic, and perhaps a bit inexperienced.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: cachorro
Question 1 of 1
Which of these is the most common meaning of 'cachorro'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use 'cachorro' for a kitten?
Technically yes, you can say 'cachorro de gato', but almost everyone just says 'gatito'.
Is 'cachorro' offensive when used for people?
Not usually. It's often used in politics or sports to describe 'the new generation,' though it can sound slightly patronizing depending on the tone.