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zoo

so-oh/ˈso.o/

“zoo” means “zoo” in Spanish (a place where animals are kept for public viewing).

zoo

Also: zoological garden
NounmA1
SpainLatin America
A simple storybook illustration of a giraffe and an elephant behind a wooden fence at a zoo.

📝 In Action

Quiero ir al zoo para ver los leones.

A1

I want to go to the zoo to see the lions.

El zoo está abierto todos los días.

A1

The zoo is open every day.

Hay muchos animales exóticos en este zoo.

B1

There are many exotic animals in this zoo.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • zoológico (zoological park)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • ir al zoo – to go to the zoo
  • director del zoo – zoo director
  • animales del zoo – zoo animals

Vocabulary Collections

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "zoo" in Spanish:

zoo→zoological garden→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: zoo

Question 1 of 3

Which article should you use with 'zoo'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
zoológico(zoological) — Adjective
zoología(zoology) — Noun
zoólogo(zoologist) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Shortening of the Spanish word 'zoológico,' which comes from the Greek 'zoion' (animal) and 'logos' (study/word).

First recorded: 20th century (as a shortening)

Cognates (Related words)

English: zooFrench: zoo

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'zoo' less formal than 'zoológico'?

Slightly, but both are perfectly acceptable in almost any situation, similar to 'zoo' vs. 'zoological park' in English.

Do I pronounce it like English 'zoo'?

No. In Spanish, it sounds more like 'so-oh' because every vowel gets its own sound.

Is it always masculine?

Yes, 'el zoo' is always masculine regardless of what country you are in.