Inklingo
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vacas

/BAH-kas/

cows

A colorful storybook illustration showing three friendly Holstein cows standing together in a bright green pasture under a clear blue sky.

The most literal meaning of 'vacas' is 'cows'.

vacas(noun)

fA1

cows

?

plural of 'vaca' (cow)

Also:

cattle

?

when referring to a herd

📝 In Action

Las vacas pastan tranquilamente en el campo.

A1

The cows graze peacefully in the field.

Necesitamos comprar leche fresca de las vacas.

A2

We need to buy fresh milk from the cows.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

  • ordeñar las vacas – to milk the cows
  • un rebaño de vacas – a herd of cows

💡 Grammar Points

Feminine Plural

Since 'vaca' ends in '-a' and is feminine, its plural form 'vacas' is also feminine and must be used with feminine articles (like 'las').

❌ Common Pitfalls

Gender Mismatch

Mistake: "Los vacas son grandes."

Correction: Las vacas son grandes. (Remember, 'vaca' is a feminine word.)

⭐ Usage Tips

Milk Source

This word is often linked to dairy products; 'leche de vaca' (cow's milk) is a very common phrase.

A simple colorful illustration depicting a relaxing vacation scene, showing a single lounge chair placed on yellow sand next to a colorful striped beach umbrella, with the blue ocean visible in the background.

Informally, 'vacas' is a common short term for 'vacation' ('vacaciones').

vacas(noun)

fB1

vacation

?

informal short form of 'vacaciones'

Also:

holidays

?

informal short form of 'vacaciones'

📝 In Action

¡Ya quiero que lleguen las vacas de verano!

B1

I really want summer vacation to arrive already!

¿Qué planes tienes para las vacas?

B2

What plans do you have for the holidays?

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • irse de vacas – to go on vacation

💡 Grammar Points

The Short Form

This usage is a clipping of the full word 'vacaciones'. It is always used in the plural, just like the full word.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Formal Context

Mistake: "Estimados colegas, les informo que estaré de vacas."

Correction: Estimados colegas, les informo que estaré de vacaciones. (Use the full word in professional or formal settings.)

⭐ Usage Tips

Context is Key

If you are talking about school or work breaks, 'vacas' means vacation. If you are on a farm, it means the animal. Context usually makes it clear!

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: vacas

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'vacas' in its informal meaning?

📚 More Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does 'vacas' sometimes mean 'vacation'?

It is a very common, informal abbreviation (or 'clipping') of the word 'vacaciones.' It's similar to how English speakers might say 'hols' instead of 'holidays.'

Is 'vacas' masculine or feminine?

It is always feminine, following the gender of the singular word 'vaca.' You must use 'las' (the) or other feminine words with it.