Inklingo

How to Say "crossbreed" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “crossbreed” is “cruce” — use 'cruce' when referring to the genetic mixing or the result of mixing animal or plant breeds. It emphasizes the process or the outcome of the interbreeding itself..

English → Spanish

cruce

/kroo-seh//ˈkɾuθe/

nounB1general
Use 'cruce' when referring to the genetic mixing or the result of mixing animal or plant breeds. It emphasizes the process or the outcome of the interbreeding itself.
A unique dog standing, clearly showing physical features inherited from two different breeds, representing a crossbreed.

Examples

El cruce de un león y un tigre se llama ligre.

The crossbreed of a lion and a tiger is called a liger.

El perro es el cruce de un labrador y un pastor alemán.

The dog is a crossbreed between a Labrador and a German Shepherd.

Estudiaron el cruce de estas dos especies de flores.

They studied the crossbreeding of these two flower species.

cruza

/KROO-sah//ˈkɾusa/

nounB1general
Use 'cruza' to specifically denote an animal that is the result of crossbreeding, emphasizing the individual animal's mixed heritage.
A friendly dog that has features of both a Golden Retriever and a Poodle.

Examples

Tengo una cruza de pastor alemán y labrador.

I have a crossbreed of a German Shepherd and a Labrador.

Mi perro es una cruza de pastor alemán y labrador.

My dog is a cross between a German Shepherd and a Labrador.

Esta planta es una cruza muy resistente.

This plant is a very hardy hybrid.

Noun Gender

Even if the animal is male, you still use 'una cruza' because the word for 'a crossbreed' itself is feminine.

Cruce vs. Cruza

Learners often confuse 'cruce' and 'cruza' because both refer to mixed breeds. Remember that 'cruce' can refer to the concept or result of the breeding itself, while 'cruza' more specifically points to the animal that is a mix.

Related Translations

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