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rata

RAH-tahˈra.ta

“rata” means “rat” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

rat

Also: rodent
NounfA1
A small gray rat with large ears and a long tail, standing upright on its hind legs.

📝 In Action

Hay una rata en el sótano que come nuestro queso.

A1

There is a rat in the basement eating our cheese.

Las ratas pueden ser portadoras de enfermedades.

A2

Rats can be carriers of diseases.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

  • trampa para ratas – rat trap
  • veneno para ratas – rat poison

cheapskate, crook

Also: scoundrel
NounfB2informal
Mexico
A cartoon illustration of a person with a worried expression, tightly clutching a small, worn leather coin pouch to their chest with both hands.

📝 In Action

No seas rata y paga la mitad de la cuenta.

B2

Don't be a cheapskate and pay half the bill.

Ese político es una rata; solo piensa en robar.

C1

That politician is a crook; he only thinks about stealing.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • tacaño (stingy)
  • ladrón (thief)

Idioms & Expressions

  • ser una rata – to be extremely mean or cheap

Vocabulary Collections

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "rata" in Spanish:

cheapskate→crook→rat→rodent→scoundrel→

🗣️ Practice in a Tongue Twister

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: rata

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'rata' as an insult for a person?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
ratón(mouse) — Noun
ratear(to steal petty things; to be stingy) — Verb
roedor(rodent) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

The word comes from the Late Latin *rattus*, likely of Germanic origin, referring to the large rodent. It replaced older Latin terms.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: rattoFrench: rat

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'rata' the same as 'ratón'?

No. 'Rata' is specifically a large rat. 'Ratón' is a mouse, which is smaller. This distinction is the same as in English.

If I call a man 'rata', do I use 'el' or 'la'?

You must use the feminine article 'la' or 'una' because 'rata' is a feminine noun, even if the person you are insulting is male. Example: 'Él es una rata'.