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How to Say "animal" in Spanish

English → Spanish

animal

/a-ni-'mal//a.niˈmal/

nounA1general
Use 'animal' for the general, formal, and scientific term referring to any living creature that is not a plant or human.
A simple illustration of a friendly brown dog standing on green grass.

Examples

El zoológico tiene una gran variedad de animales exóticos.

The zoo has a great variety of exotic animals.

El perro es un animal doméstico muy leal.

The dog is a very loyal domestic animal.

Estudiamos la vida de los animales en el bosque.

We studied the life of the animals in the forest.

Según la biología, todos somos animales.

According to biology, we are all animals.

Fixed Gender

Even though a creature might be female, the noun animal itself always stays masculine (un animal).

Using the wrong article

Mistake: “La animal es peligrosa.”

Correction: El animal es peligroso. (Remember to use 'el' because 'animal' is a masculine word.)

bicho

/bee-cho//ˈbitʃo/

nounB1informal
Use 'bicho' informally to refer to an animal, often a small creature like an insect or bug, or sometimes any creature in a casual way.
A cute, brown and white dog sitting and looking directly ahead with a cheerful expression.

Examples

¡Mira ese bicho raro en la pared!

Look at that strange bug on the wall!

¿Qué bicho es ese? Parece un perro gigante.

What animal is that? It looks like a giant dog.

Nuestro gato es un bicho perezoso que solo duerme.

Our cat is a lazy critter that only sleeps.

Formal vs. Informal Usage

Learners often confuse 'animal' and 'bicho' by using 'bicho' in formal situations. Remember that 'animal' is the standard, neutral term, while 'bicho' is casual and can sometimes even refer to something bothersome.

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