Inklingo

How to Say "hunting" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “hunting” is “caza” — use 'caza' when referring to hunting as a general activity, a sport, or a practice, especially when it's a topic of discussion or regulation..

English → Spanish

caza

/KAH-sah//ˈkaθa/

nounB1general
Use 'caza' when referring to hunting as a general activity, a sport, or a practice, especially when it's a topic of discussion or regulation.
A person in camouflage attire kneeling in a lush green forest, pointing at clear animal tracks on the dirt path, illustrating the activity of hunting.

Examples

La caza de ballenas está prohibida internacionalmente.

The hunting of whales is internationally prohibited.

Se levantaron al amanecer para ir de caza.

They got up at dawn to go hunting.

La caza menor es parte de la dieta del zorro.

Small game (small hunted animals) is part of the fox's diet.

Always Feminine

Even though 'caza' ends in 'a', remember it always uses feminine articles: 'la caza', 'una caza'.

cacería

nounB1general
Use 'cacería' for a specific instance of hunting, like an organized event or expedition, often implying a more formal or planned hunt.

Examples

El rey organizó una gran cacería en el bosque.

The king organized a great hunt in the forest.

cazando

/ka-SAHN-doh//kaˈsando/

verbA2general
Use 'cazando' (the gerund of 'cazar') to describe the ongoing action of an animal or person actively pursuing and trying to catch prey.
A fox stealthily moving through tall grass, tracking something in the distance.

Examples

El águila está cazando un ratón.

The eagle is hunting a mouse.

Llevo toda la mañana cazando ofertas en internet.

I've been hunting for deals on the internet all morning.

¡Presta atención! Estás cazando moscas.

Pay attention! You're daydreaming.

The '-ing' Form

Cazando is a gerund, which is the Spanish equivalent of English words ending in '-ing.' You use it with the verb 'estar' to describe actions happening right now.

Don't use it as a title

Mistake: “Using 'Cazando es difícil' for 'Hunting is difficult.'”

Correction: Say 'Cazar es difícil.' In Spanish, we use the base form (infinitive) when the action is the subject of the sentence.

cazador

/kah-zah-DOR//ka.θaˈðoɾ/

adjectiveB2general
Use 'cazador' as an adjective to describe something possessing an inherent quality or instinct for hunting, like an animal's nature or a tool's purpose.
A brown hound dog sniffing the ground intently, following a trail through tall green grass.

Examples

El perro tiene un instinto cazador muy fuerte.

The dog has a very strong hunting instinct.

Vimos un ave cazadora sobrevolando el campo.

We saw a predatory (hunting) bird flying over the field.

Adjective Agreement

Like many Spanish adjectives, 'cazador' must match the thing it describes. If you describe a feminine noun (like 'ave'), you must use the feminine form: 'ave cazadora'.

Noun vs. Verb Confusion

Learners often confuse 'caza' and 'cacería' with 'cazando'. Remember that 'caza' and 'cacería' are nouns referring to the activity or event, while 'cazando' is the present participle (a verb form) describing the action in progress.

Related Translations

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