Inklingo

How to Say "rat" in Spanish

English → Spanish

rata

RAH-tah/ˈra.ta/

nounA1general
Use 'rata' when referring to the actual rodent animal, a common pest found in houses or sewers.
A small gray rat with large ears and a long tail, standing upright on its hind legs.

Examples

Hay una rata en el sótano que come nuestro queso.

There is a rat in the basement eating our cheese.

Las ratas pueden ser portadoras de enfermedades.

Rats can be carriers of diseases.

Gender Note

Even though 'rata' refers to a female rat, it is the standard word for rats of either gender, just like 'mouse' in English.

gusano

/goo-SAH-no//ɡuˈsano/

nounC1informal
Use 'gusano' metaphorically to describe a morally corrupt, untrustworthy, or deceitful person.
A cartoonish figure with a shifty expression, wearing a dark mask, sneaking a golden coin out of a small open pouch.

Examples

No confíes en él, es un gusano que solo busca problemas.

Don't trust him, he's a creep who only looks for trouble.

Lo trataron como a un gusano después de lo que hizo.

They treated him like dirt (like a worm) after what he did.

Confusing the Animal with the Insult

The most common mistake is using 'rata' to insult someone. While 'rata' can sometimes be used negatively, 'gusano' is the more direct and stronger insult for a treacherous person. Remember, 'rata' primarily means the animal.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.