ovejas
/oh-VEH-has/
sheep
The literal meaning of 'ovejas' refers to the plural animal: sheep.
📝 In Action
El pastor tiene cien ovejas en el campo.
A1The shepherd has one hundred sheep in the field.
Las ovejas comen hierba todo el día.
A1The sheep eat grass all day.
Necesitamos esquilar las ovejas antes del invierno.
A2We need to shear the sheep before winter.
💡 Grammar Points
Plural Noun
This word is the plural form of 'oveja' (one sheep). It always uses feminine articles (las ovejas) and feminine adjective endings.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Gender Confusion
Mistake: "Using 'los ovejas' or 'el ovejas'."
Correction: Always use 'las ovejas' because the base word 'oveja' is feminine, even though the animals themselves can be male or female.
⭐ Usage Tips
Singular vs. Plural
Remember that 'ovejas' means many sheep. To talk about just one, use 'una oveja'.
Figuratively, 'ovejas' can refer to people who follow others blindly or conform without question.
ovejas(noun)
sheep
?figurative; referring to people
blind followers
?people who follow the crowd
📝 In Action
El político manipuló a sus ovejas con promesas vacías.
B2The politician manipulated his sheep (followers) with empty promises.
No seas una de las ovejas, piensa por ti mismo.
C1Don't be one of the sheep, think for yourself.
💡 Grammar Points
Metaphorical Plural
In this sense, 'ovejas' is a collective noun often used to criticize a group of people for being too passive, obedient, or lacking critical thinking.
⭐ Usage Tips
Tone Warning
Using 'ovejas' to describe people is usually negative and judgmental, implying they lack intelligence or willpower. Use this term carefully.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: ovejas
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'ovejas' in its literal meaning?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
If 'ovejas' is plural, how do I talk about a single sheep?
The word for a single sheep is 'una oveja'. Remember, the word 'oveja' is feminine, regardless of the animal's actual sex.
Does 'ovejas' always mean female sheep?
No. While the word 'oveja' is grammatically feminine, 'ovejas' is the general plural term for a group of sheep that includes both male and female animals.