How to Say "ox" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “ox” is “buey” — use 'buey' specifically for a castrated male bovine that is used for labor or as draft animal. This is the most common and direct translation for 'ox'.
Use 'buey' specifically for a castrated male bovine that is used for labor or as draft animal. This is the most common and direct translation for 'ox'.
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While 'toro' primarily means 'bull' (an intact male bovine), it can occasionally be used for a castrated male bovine, but this usage is less common and might cause confusion. It's generally safer to use 'buey' for an ox.
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Examples
El buey es un animal muy fuerte y trabajador.
The ox is a very strong and hardworking animal.
Antiguamente, los campesinos usaban bueyes para arar la tierra.
In the past, farmers used oxen to plow the land.
El carro de bueyes avanzaba lentamente por el camino de tierra.
The ox-cart moved slowly along the dirt road.
Making it Plural
Since this word ends in a 'y' that sounds like a vowel, you add '-es' to make it plural: 'un buey' becomes 'dos bueyes'.
Buey vs. Toro
While both are male cattle, a 'toro' (bull) is kept for breeding, and a 'buey' (ox) is trained for farm work like pulling heavy loads.
Wrong Plural
Mistake: “los bueys”
Correction: los bueyes (words ending in 'y' usually add 'es' in Spanish).
TOH-rohˈtoɾo
Examples
El granjero tiene un toro muy fuerte en su campo.
The farmer has a very strong bull in his field.
Vimos un toro pastando cerca del río.
We saw a bull grazing near the river.
El toro es el macho de la vaca.
The bull is the male of the cow.
Gender Rule
Since 'toro' refers to a male animal, it is a masculine noun. Remember to use the masculine article 'el' (el toro).
Confusing Gender
Mistake: “Using 'la tora' (which refers to the female animal).”
Correction: The female version is 'la vaca' (the cow). The word 'toro' is always masculine.
Buey vs. Toro
The most common mistake is using 'toro' when you mean 'ox'. Remember that 'toro' almost always refers to a bull. Only use 'toro' for an ox if the context is extremely clear that it's a castrated working animal and not a breeding bull, otherwise, stick with 'buey'.
Related Translations
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