caza
/KAH-sah/
hunting
As a noun, caza refers to the activity or sport of hunting.
caza(noun)
hunting
?the activity or sport
,the hunt
?the event itself
game
?animals that are hunted (collective noun)
,prey
?animals pursued by predators
📝 In Action
La caza de ballenas está prohibida internacionalmente.
B1Whaling (the hunting of whales) is internationally prohibited.
Se levantaron al amanecer para ir de caza.
A2They got up at dawn to go hunting.
La caza menor es parte de la dieta del zorro.
B2Small game (small hunted animals) is part of the fox's diet.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Feminine
Even though 'caza' ends in 'a', remember it always uses feminine articles: 'la caza', 'una caza'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Going Hunting
To say 'to go hunting,' use the phrase 'ir de caza,' not 'ir a cazar.' 'Vamos de caza este fin de semana.'
Caza is often used as a short term for a fighter jet (avión de caza).
📝 In Action
El escuadrón de caza patrullaba el cielo.
B2The fighter squadron patrolled the sky.
Este país necesita renovar su flota de cazas.
C1This country needs to renew its fleet of fighter jets.
⭐ Usage Tips
Plural Form
The plural is 'cazas' (fighter jets). While the noun for the action is singular 'la caza', this specialized noun is countable.
When used as a verb, caza means 'he/she hunts'.
caza(verb)
he/she hunts
?present tense
,you (formal) hunt
?present tense (usted)
he/she catches
?to catch a ball or opportunity
📝 In Action
El gato caza un ratón cada mañana.
A2The cat hunts a mouse every morning.
¿Usted caza en el bosque?
A2Do you (formal) hunt in the forest?
¡Caza esa idea antes de que se te escape!
B1Catch that idea before it escapes you! (Informal command)
💡 Grammar Points
Spelling Change Rule
The verb 'cazar' requires a spelling change from 'z' to 'c' when followed by the letter 'e' (like in the preterite 'yo' form or the present subjunctive). This keeps the sound consistent.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Preterite Spelling
Mistake: "Yo cazé (using 'z')"
Correction: Yo cacé (using 'c'). Remember Z only goes before A, O, U.
⭐ Usage Tips
More than Animals
While often about hunting animals, 'cazar' is also used figuratively to mean 'catch' or 'nab' an idea, a good deal, or even a cold.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: caza
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'caza' as the act of hunting?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'caza' (noun) and 'cazar' (verb)?
'Caza' (noun, feminine) means the activity itself ('hunting') or the animals that are hunted ('game'). 'Cazar' is the base verb meaning 'to hunt' or 'to catch.' The word 'caza' is also the 'he/she/it' form of the verb 'cazar' in the present tense.