How to Say "animals" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “animals” is “animales” — use 'animales' for the general concept of living creatures, including pets, wildlife, and zoo inhabitants..
animales
/ah-nee-MAH-les//aniˈmales/
Examples
En el zoológico vimos muchos animales exóticos.
In the zoo, we saw many exotic animals.
Los animales domésticos necesitan mucho cuidado y amor.
Domestic animals need a lot of care and love.
El comportamiento de los animales marinos es fascinante.
The behavior of marine animals is fascinating.
Masculine Plural Rule
Even though 'animales' refers to creatures regardless of sex, the word itself is always treated as masculine in Spanish. You use 'los' (the) or masculine adjectives like 'muchos' (many) with it.
Using the wrong article
Mistake: “Las animales viven en el bosque.”
Correction: Los animales viven en el bosque. (Remember to use the masculine plural 'los'.)
bestias
/BESS-tyahss//ˈbestjas/
Examples
Las bestias salvajes se refugiaron en la cueva.
The wild beasts took shelter in the cave.
Cargaron la leña sobre las bestias.
They loaded the firewood onto the pack animals.
Always Feminine
Even though it refers to animals, this word is always feminine ('las bestias'), no matter the gender of the animals themselves.
Gender Trap
Mistake: “los bestias”
Correction: las bestias (even if you are talking about male animals or men, the word remains feminine).
General vs. Specific Use
Related Translations
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