Inklingo
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cordero

/kor-DEH-roh/

lamb

A fluffy white lamb standing in a bright green pasture under a blue sky.

Cordero meaning a young sheep (animal).

cordero(noun)

mA1

lamb

?

young sheep (animal)

📝 In Action

El pastor cargaba un cordero recién nacido.

A1

The shepherd was carrying a newborn lamb.

En primavera, los corderos saltan por el campo.

A2

In spring, the lambs jump around the field.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

  • rebaño de corderos – flock of lambs
  • piel de cordero – lambskin

💡 Grammar Points

Gender Note

Even though cordero is masculine, it is used as the general term for the young sheep, male or female. If you need to specify a female lamb, you might use the diminutive corderita.

⭐ Usage Tips

Religious Context

This word is often used in religious texts (like Christianity) to refer to Jesus Christ: 'el Cordero de Dios' (the Lamb of God).

A single cooked lamb chop, garnished simply, resting on a plain white plate.

Cordero referring to lamb meat or food.

cordero(noun)

mA2

lamb

?

meat/food

Also:

mutton

?

meat from older sheep (less common)

📝 In Action

El cordero asado es la especialidad de la región.

A2

Roast lamb is the specialty of the region.

¿Qué tipo de cordero vamos a cocinar para la cena?

B1

What kind of lamb are we going to cook for dinner?

Word Connections

Common Collocations

  • chuletas de cordero – lamb chops
  • pierna de cordero – leg of lamb

⭐ Usage Tips

Menu Vocabulary

When you see 'cordero' on a menu, it always refers to the meat, never the live animal.

A person with a mild and gentle expression carefully holding a tiny blue flower between their fingers.

Cordero used metaphorically to describe a mild or gentle person.

cordero(noun)

mB2

lamb

?

a mild, gentle, or meek person

Also:

doormat

?

informal, referring to someone easily manipulated

📝 In Action

Ella parece muy fuerte, pero en el fondo es un cordero.

B2

She seems very strong, but deep down she is a lamb (very gentle).

Cuando está con su jefe, se vuelve un cordero y acepta todo.

C1

When he is with his boss, he turns into a lamb and accepts everything.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • manso (meek)
  • dócil (docile)

Antonyms

  • fiera (beast)
  • agresivo (aggressive)

💡 Grammar Points

Figurative Gender

In this figurative sense, cordero usually remains masculine even if you are describing a woman's personality. You are comparing her to 'the lamb' archetype.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using the Feminine Form

Mistake: "Using *corder* or *cordera* to mean a gentle person."

Correction: Stick to *cordero* for the personality trait, regardless of the person's gender. *Cordera* usually just means a female lamb (the animal).

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: cordero

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'cordero' in its figurative meaning?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

oveja(sheep (adult female)) - noun
carnero(ram (adult male sheep)) - noun
corderito(little lamb (diminutive)) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'cordero' and 'oveja'?

'Cordero' specifically refers to a young sheep (a lamb) or the meat from that young animal. 'Oveja' refers to an adult female sheep, while 'carnero' refers to an adult male sheep (a ram).

Can I use 'cordera'?

Yes, 'cordera' is the feminine form meaning 'female lamb' (the animal), but 'cordero' is the more common general term for the young animal and is always used for the figurative meaning (meek person).