gallina
/gah-YEE-nah/
hen
In its most common meaning, gallina refers to a hen, a female chicken.
📝 In Action
La gallina puso tres huevos esta mañana.
A1The hen laid three eggs this morning.
El granjero tiene más de cien gallinas en su corral.
A2The farmer has more than a hundred chickens in his coop.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Check
Remember that 'gallina' is always feminine, referring to the female bird. The male bird is 'gallo' (rooster).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Gallina vs. Pollo
Mistake: "Using 'gallina' to mean chicken meat."
Correction: Use 'pollo' (chicken) when referring to the meat you eat, or a young chicken. 'Gallina' is usually the live, mature female bird.
Gallina can also be used metaphorically to mean a coward, someone who is easily frightened.
gallina(noun)
coward
?person lacking courage
chicken
?as an insult
,scaredy-cat
?informal description
📝 In Action
¡No seas gallina! Tienes que decirle la verdad.
B1Don't be a coward! You have to tell her the truth.
Él es una gallina; nunca se atreve a probar nada nuevo.
B2He is a chicken; he never dares to try anything new.
💡 Grammar Points
Fixed Gender Insult
When used to mean 'coward,' 'gallina' is always feminine, even if you are talking about a man. You say 'Él es una gallina,' not 'un gallino'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Use with Caution
This word is often used as a lighthearted insult among friends, but in formal situations or with strangers, it can be offensive.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: gallina
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'gallina' in its figurative (insulting) sense?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 'gallina' always feminine, even when I call a man a coward?
This is common in Spanish! When 'gallina' is used to mean 'coward,' it is acting like a fixed feminine noun, similar to how 'persona' (person) is always feminine, regardless of the gender of the person you are talking about. You use 'una gallina' for both men and women.
What is the difference between 'gallo' and 'gallina'?
'Gallo' is the male chicken (rooster), and 'gallina' is the female chicken (hen). They are a pair, like husband and wife in the chicken world!