How to Say "den" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “den” is “cueva” — use 'cueva' to describe a very messy or disorganized room or home, or an animal's natural dwelling.
cueva
KWEY-vahˈkwe.βa
Examples
Mi habitación es una cueva después de estudiar para el examen.
My room is a den after studying for the exam.
Su oficina es una cueva llena de papeles viejos.
His office is a den full of old papers.
Los ladrones usaron ese almacén abandonado como su cueva.
The thieves used that abandoned warehouse as their hideout.
No salgas de tu cueva, el día está hermoso.
Don't come out of your hole (referring to a secluded room), the day is beautiful.
guarida
gwah-REE-dahɡwaˈɾiða
Examples
El zorro se escondió en su guarida para protegerse de la lluvia.
The fox hid in its den to protect itself from the rain.
El lobo regresó a su guarida con comida para sus cachorros.
The wolf returned to its den with food for its cubs.
Los bandidos tenían una guarida secreta en lo profundo del bosque.
The bandits had a secret hideout deep in the forest.
Mi habitación es mi guarida; nadie me molesta cuando estoy allí.
My room is my hideaway; nobody bothers me when I'm there.
Always Feminine
Even though it doesn't describe a person, 'guarida' is always a feminine noun. You must use 'la' or 'una' regardless of who or what lives inside it.
Describing the Resident
To say whose den it is, just use 'de' (of). For example: 'la guarida de los leones' (the lions' den).
Guarida vs. Casa
Mistake: “Using 'guarida' to mean a normal home.”
Correction: Use 'casa' or 'hogar' for a normal house. Use 'guarida' only if you want to sound like it's a secret spot, a messy place, or a place for animals.
nido
nee-dohˈniðo
Examples
La policía desmanteló el nido de contrabandistas en el puerto.
The police dismantled the smugglers' den in the port.
La investigación reveló que la oficina era un nido de corrupción.
The investigation revealed that the office was a hotbed of corruption.
El barrio se había convertido en un nido de actividades ilegales.
The neighborhood had become a den of illegal activities.
Messy Room vs. Animal Lair
Related Translations
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