How to Say "frog" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “frog” is “rana” — use 'rana' when referring to a true frog, known for its smooth skin and long legs used for jumping..
rana
/rra-na//ˈra.na/
Examples
La rana verde croó fuertemente cerca del estanque.
The green frog croaked loudly near the pond.
Mi hermana tiene miedo a las ranas y los sapos.
My sister is afraid of frogs and toads.
Encontré una rana diminuta saltando en el jardín.
I found a tiny frog jumping in the garden.
Gender is Fixed
Since 'rana' is a noun for an animal, it is always feminine (la rana), even if you are referring to a male frog.
Frog vs. Toad
Mistake: “Using 'rana' for 'toad'.”
Correction: The correct word for 'toad' is 'sapo'. While related, 'rana' usually implies the smoother-skinned, more aquatic animal, and 'sapo' the warty, terrestrial one.
sapo
/sah-poh//ˈsapo/
Examples
El sapo saltó al jardín después de la lluvia.
The toad hopped into the garden after the rain.
Hay un sapo grande viviendo debajo de esa piedra.
There is a large toad living under that rock.
En los cuentos de hadas, a veces el sapo se convierte en príncipe.
In fairy tales, sometimes the toad turns into a prince.
Always Masculine
The word 'sapo' is grammatically masculine even if the animal is female. To specify a female toad, you would say 'el sapo hembra' (the female toad).
Using Articles
Since it ends in 'o', it almost always uses masculine words around it like 'el', 'un', or 'este'.
Sapo vs. Rana
Mistake: “Calling every jumping amphibian a 'sapo'.”
Correction: Use 'sapo' for dry, bumpy-skinned amphibians (toads) and 'rana' for wet, smooth-skinned ones (frogs).
Rana vs. Sapo: The Main Confusion
Related Translations
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