vaquero
/vah-KEH-roh/
cowboy
The noun vaquero means cowboy, a person who herds cattle.
vaquero(noun)
cowboy
?person who herds cattle
,rancher
?person who works on a ranch
stockman
?general term for livestock handler
📝 In Action
El vaquero montó su caballo al amanecer para revisar el ganado.
B1The cowboy mounted his horse at dawn to check the cattle.
Mi abuelo era vaquero en Texas.
A2My grandfather was a rancher in Texas.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Matching
Remember that 'vaquero' is masculine (el vaquero). If you are referring to a woman, the word changes to 'vaquera' (la vaquera).
⭐ Usage Tips
Cultural Note
While 'cowboy' is the direct translation, 'vaquero' is also used in many Latin American countries (like Mexico) to describe the traditional working rancher, often called a 'charro' in specific regional contexts.
The adjective vaquero describes the fabric known as denim.
vaquero(adjective)
denim
?used to describe the fabric
,jean
?used to describe clothing items
cowboy-style
?describing fashion or boots
📝 In Action
Necesito comprar unos pantalones vaqueros nuevos.
A1I need to buy some new denim pants (jeans).
Ella llevaba una camisa vaquera con botones de perla.
A2She was wearing a denim shirt with pearl buttons.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'Vaquero' as an Adjective
When 'vaquero' describes clothing, it must match the item it describes. Since 'pantalones' (pants) is plural and masculine, you use 'vaqueros' (plural masculine).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing up the Noun and Adjective
Mistake: "Compré un vaquero."
Correction: Unless you bought a person, you mean 'Compré unos pantalones vaqueros' (I bought some jeans). If you just say 'vaquero,' people think you bought a cowboy!
⭐ Usage Tips
The most common usage
In Spain, 'pantalones vaqueros' is common, but you will also hear 'tejanos' or just 'jeans.' In Latin America, 'vaqueros' or 'jeans' are standard.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: vaquero
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'vaquero' to describe clothing?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'vaqueros' (plural) a noun or an adjective when talking about pants?
It can be both! It's technically an adjective in 'pantalones vaqueros' (denim pants), but in common conversation, Spanish speakers often drop 'pantalones' and just say 'Me puse mis vaqueros' ('I put on my jeans'), making 'vaqueros' function as a noun.
How is 'vaquero' related to the English word 'buckaroo'?
'Buckaroo' is actually an English corruption of the Spanish word 'vaquero.' When English-speaking settlers arrived in the American West, they borrowed and adapted the Spanish term for the cattle herders they encountered.