patas
/PAH-tas/
legs
Patas often refers to the legs of animals or furniture, like these chair legs.
📝 In Action
El perro movió sus patas con alegría al vernos.
A1The dog moved its paws happily when it saw us.
Necesitamos arreglar una de las patas de la silla.
A2We need to fix one of the legs of the chair.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Consistency
Even when referring to inanimate objects like tables, 'patas' is always feminine because the singular word 'pata' is feminine.
⭐ Usage Tips
Distinguishing Legs
Use 'patas' for animals and furniture, but use 'piernas' for human legs.
Informally, patas can refer to human feet or legs.
📝 In Action
Me duelen mucho las patas después de la caminata.
B1My feet/legs really hurt after the walk.
Llegué a pata porque el autobús se retrasó.
B2I arrived on foot because the bus was delayed.
⭐ Usage Tips
Informal Complaint
If you hear someone say 'Me duelen las patas,' they are usually complaining casually about tired feet or legs after a lot of physical activity.
In Spain, patas is slang for close friends or buddies.
📝 In Action
Esta noche salimos de copas con las patas.
B2Tonight we're going out for drinks with our friends/mates.
Él y yo somos patas desde el colegio.
C1He and I have been buddies since school.
💡 Grammar Points
Context is Key
When used in this slang sense, 'patas' refers to people, but it maintains its feminine form. Don't worry about changing it based on the gender of your friends.
⭐ Usage Tips
Use with Confidence (in context)
This meaning is very natural in Spain and places like Peru. Use it when talking about your close circle in a casual setting.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: patas
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'patas' in the informal slang sense of 'friends'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
¿Por qué 'patas' es femenino si hablo de un amigo (hombre)?
That's a great question! 'Patas' is feminine because the original word 'pata' (leg/paw) is a feminine noun. Even when we use it as slang to refer to a group of friends, including men, the word itself doesn't change gender. You would say 'Mis patas son geniales' whether your friends are all male, all female, or mixed.
Is 'patas' offensive when referring to human legs?
It is not offensive, but it is very informal. It often implies a bit of weariness or exaggeration, like 'My tired old legs.' For a neutral context, always use 'piernas' (legs) or 'pies' (feet).