mascota
“mascota” means “pet” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
pet
Also: house animal
📝 In Action
Mi perro es mi mascota favorita.
A1My dog is my favorite pet.
¿Tienes una mascota en casa? ¿Un gato o un pájaro?
A1Do you have a pet at home? A cat or a bird?
La veterinaria cuida bien de todas las mascotas del barrio.
A2The vet takes good care of all the neighborhood pets.
mascot
Also: lucky charm
📝 In Action
El león es la mascota oficial del equipo de fútbol.
B1The lion is the official mascot of the soccer team.
Las mascotas de los Juegos Olímpicos son muy famosas.
B2The mascots of the Olympic Games are very famous.
Vocabulary Collections
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: mascota
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'mascota' in its most common, everyday meaning?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes from the French word 'mascotte,' which originally meant 'lucky charm' or 'sorcerer's helper.' This older meaning is why 'mascota' is also used for team symbols that are supposed to bring good fortune. It entered Spanish in the late 19th century.
First recorded: Late 19th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
If 'mascota' is feminine, how do I specify a male pet?
You don't need to change 'mascota' itself. You can specify the animal: 'Mi perro es mi mascota' (My dog is my pet). The word 'mascota' always stays feminine, regardless of the animal's sex.
Can 'mascota' be used for any animal?
It is generally reserved for animals kept in the home for companionship (dogs, cats, birds, etc.). You wouldn't typically call a farm animal or a wild animal a 'mascota'.