zorro
/ZOH-rroh/
fox
Zorro, meaning 'fox,' is a common animal found throughout the world.
📝 In Action
Vimos un zorro rojo cruzar el campo al amanecer.
A1We saw a red fox cross the field at dawn.
El zorro es conocido por su inteligencia y su cola tupida.
A2The fox is known for its intelligence and its bushy tail.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender and Plural
Since 'zorro' ends in -o, it is masculine. To talk about more than one, simply add -s: 'zorros'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Gender
Mistake: "La zorro."
Correction: El zorro. Nouns ending in -o are almost always masculine.
⭐ Usage Tips
The Female Fox
The female animal is called 'la zorra'. Be careful, as 'zorra' also has strong negative figurative meanings.
Zorro can also be used to describe a person who is clever, cunning, or sly.
zorro(noun)
sly person
?Cunning or clever person
,cunning man
?Figurative use
clever fellow
?Positive connotation of intelligence
📝 In Action
No confíes en él, es un zorro que siempre consigue lo que quiere.
B1Don't trust him, he's a sly fox who always gets what he wants.
Nuestro abogado es un zorro; encontró la laguna legal perfecta.
B2Our lawyer is a clever fox; he found the perfect legal loophole.
💡 Grammar Points
Figurative Adjective Use
While technically a noun, 'zorro' often functions like an adjective describing someone's character, usually following the verb 'ser' (to be).
⭐ Usage Tips
Cultural Association
Just like in English, the fox is a symbol of cunning and cleverness in Spanish-speaking cultures. This meaning is a direct transfer of that characteristic.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: zorro
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'zorro' in its figurative meaning?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'zorro' related to the famous masked hero, Zorro?
Yes. The character Zorro (whose name means 'fox' in Spanish) was created to represent a cunning, clever, and elusive hero who was hard for the authorities to catch. His name highlights his sly nature.
How do I know if someone is using 'zorro' as a compliment or an insult?
Context is key. If used for someone successful in business, law, or strategy, it usually means 'clever' or 'astute' (a compliment). If used after someone has played a malicious trick or cheated, it is definitely an insult meaning 'sly jerk' or 'trickster'.