león
“león” means “lion” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
lion
📝 In Action
El león tiene una melena muy impresionante.
A1The lion has a very impressive mane.
Fuimos al safari y vimos un león cazando.
A2We went on a safari and saw a lion hunting.
lion
Also: champion
📝 In Action
Mi jefe es un león para negociar, nunca pierde.
B1My boss is a lion when negotiating; he never loses.
El equipo jugó como leones a pesar de ir perdiendo.
B2The team played like lions despite being behind.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: león
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses the feminine form of 'león'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes directly from the Latin word *leō*, which was borrowed from the ancient Greek word *léōn*. It has been used in European languages to name the animal for thousands of years.
First recorded: Before 10th century (Old Spanish)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I say 'lion's cub'?
You can use 'el cachorro de león' (the male cub) or 'la cría de león' (the young/offspring of the lion).
Is 'León' a common Spanish name?
Yes, 'León' is sometimes used as a first name, but it is much more common as a surname (last name) or as the name of several famous cities in Spain and Mexico.