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How to Say "beast" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “beast” is “animal” — use 'animal' when referring to any creature, especially in a general or literary context, or when the 'beast' implies something less wild or even slightly negative..

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animal

/a-ni-'mal//a.niˈmal/

nounA1often literary or slightly negative
Use 'animal' when referring to any creature, especially in a general or literary context, or when the 'beast' implies something less wild or even slightly negative.
A simple illustration of a friendly brown dog standing on green grass.

Examples

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.)

bestia

/BES-tyah//ˈbes.tja/

nounA2animal
Choose 'bestia' for a powerful, imposing, or wild animal, conveying a sense of awe or raw nature.
A strong, stylized brown bull standing in a grassy field, representing a typical animal or beast.

Examples

El león es una bestia imponente en la sabana.

The lion is an imposing beast on the savanna.

Tuvimos que mover la valla para que pasara la bestia.

We had to move the fence so the large animal could pass.

Always Feminine

Even when referring to a male animal (like a bull or a male lion), 'bestia' is always a feminine noun ('la bestia').

bicho

/bee-cho//ˈbitʃo/

nounB1large or wild animal
Use 'bicho' informally to refer to any creature, often a large or wild one, sometimes with a slightly dismissive or curious tone.
A cute, brown and white dog sitting and looking directly ahead with a cheerful expression.

Examples

¿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.

monstruo

MOHN-stroh/'monstɾwo/

nounA2large, terrifying creature
Employ 'monstruo' when referring to a large, frightening, and often mythical or imaginary creature.
A friendly, green, furry monster with large eyes and small horns standing in a colorful storybook setting.

Examples

El monstruo marino tenía ojos rojos y dientes afilados.

The sea monster had red eyes and sharp teeth.

Pensaban que había un monstruo viviendo en el pantano.

They thought there was a monster living in the swamp.

Gender Note

Even though 'monstruo' ends in 'o', it can refer to a creature of any gender (male or female). You always use the masculine article: 'el monstruo'.

bruto

/broo-toh//ˈbɾuto/

nounB2someone with great physical strength but little tact
Use 'bruto' to describe a person who is physically strong but lacks intelligence, manners, or refinement.
A large, muscular cartoon ogre-like character lifting a heavy boulder with a scowl.

Examples

Ese hombre es un bruto, no tiene modales.

That man is a brute, he has no manners.

Animal vs. Human 'Beast'

The most common mistake is using 'animal' or 'bestia' to describe a person. Remember that only 'bruto' specifically refers to a person's lack of manners or intelligence, while 'animal' and 'bestia' are generally reserved for actual creatures.

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