león
/leh-OHN/
lion
The most common meaning of león is the large African cat.
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender for Animals
Even though 'león' is masculine, it refers to both male and female lions generally. If you need to specify a female, use 'la leona'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the Article
Mistake: "La león es fuerte."
Correction: El león es fuerte. Remember to use the masculine article 'el' with 'león'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Capitalization
The word 'león' is not capitalized unless it is the name of a place, like the city of León in Spain or Mexico.
León can also describe a very brave or fierce person.
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
Figurative Feminine
When calling a woman brave, you use the feminine form: 'Ella es una leona' (She is a lioness/champion).
⭐ Usage Tips
Context is Key
This meaning is almost always used in comparison (like a lion) or as a compliment to describe someone's strength of character.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: león
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses the feminine form of 'león'?
📚 More Resources
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.