vaqueros
/vah-KEH-rohs/
jeans
Vaqueros, meaning 'jeans', are essential denim trousers.
📝 In Action
Necesito lavar mis vaqueros; están muy sucios.
A1I need to wash my jeans; they are very dirty.
¿Dónde compraste esos vaqueros tan bonitos?
A2Where did you buy those beautiful jeans?
💡 Grammar Points
Always Plural
Even when referring to a single pair of pants, 'vaqueros' is always used in the plural form in Spanish, just like 'pantalones' (pants). To say 'a pair of jeans,' you use the plural articles: 'unos vaqueros'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the Singular
Mistake: "Me puse un vaquero."
Correction: Me puse unos vaqueros. (Remember it's always plural, just like the English phrase 'a pair of jeans'.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Regional Variations
In Spain, 'vaqueros' is the standard term. In parts of Latin America, you might hear 'jeans' (pronounced like the English word) or 'pantalones de mezclilla'.
Vaqueros also translates to 'cowboys', people skilled in handling cattle.
📝 In Action
Los vaqueros del rancho se levantaron antes del amanecer.
B1The cowboys on the ranch woke up before dawn.
Mi abuelo era uno de los últimos vaqueros de la región.
B2My grandfather was one of the last cowboys in the region.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Flexibility
While 'vaqueros' (masculine plural) refers to male cowboys or a mixed group, 'vaqueras' (feminine plural) refers specifically to female cowboys.
⭐ Usage Tips
Cultural Context
The original Spanish vaqueros were historically important figures in North and South American cattle culture, predating the familiar American 'cowboy' term.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: vaqueros
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'vaqueros' to refer to clothing?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'vaqueros' the only word for 'jeans'?
No. While it is the most common word in Spain, in many Spanish-speaking countries, you will frequently hear 'jeans' (pronounced like the English word) or 'pantalones de mezclilla'.
Is 'vaqueros' related to the English word 'cowboy'?
Yes! The English term 'buckaroo' is thought to be a phonetic adaptation of the Spanish word 'vaquero.' The concept of the ranch hand originated in Spanish culture.