guau
/gwou/
woof
When a dog barks, it says 'guau' (woof)!
📝 In Action
Mi perro siempre ladra: «¡Guau, guau!» cuando ve al cartero.
A1My dog always barks: 'Woof, woof!' when he sees the mailman.
El cachorro solo hace un pequeño 'guau' en lugar de ladrar fuerte.
A1The puppy only makes a small 'woof' instead of barking loudly.
💡 Grammar Points
A Sound, Not a Word
This is an onomatopoeia, meaning it's a sound imitation. In Spanish, dogs say 'guau,' which sounds a bit different than the English 'woof.'
⭐ Usage Tips
Use of Exclamation Marks
Because this is an exclamation or sound, you almost always use the inverted exclamation mark (¡) at the beginning and the regular one (!) at the end.
'Guau!' is also used to express surprise or admiration, like saying 'Wow!'
📝 In Action
¡Guau! No sabía que podías dibujar tan bien.
A2Wow! I didn't know you could draw so well.
Terminaste todo el proyecto en un día. ¡Guau!
B1You finished the whole project in one day. Wow!
Vimos la película y ¡guau!, fue la mejor del año.
B2We saw the movie and wow, it was the best of the year.
💡 Grammar Points
Showing Emotion
This is a simple, powerful way to show genuine surprise, enthusiasm, or admiration, just like saying 'Wow' in English.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Formal Settings
Mistake: "Using '¡Guau!' in a business meeting or formal presentation."
Correction: In formal settings, use '¡Qué interesante!' (How interesting!) or '¡Qué impresionante!' (How impressive!) instead.
⭐ Usage Tips
Intonation is Key
The meaning of 'guau' depends entirely on your tone of voice. A higher pitch means excitement, while a flat or drawn-out tone can sometimes imply sarcasm or disbelief.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: guau
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'guau' to express admiration?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'guau' considered formal or informal?
When used as an exclamation meaning 'Wow,' it is very informal and best used with friends or in casual settings. When describing a dog's sound, it is neutral.
How do I spell the sound a dog makes in Spanish?
The most common and accepted spelling is 'guau,' often repeated, like 'guau, guau.'