How to Say "scat!" in Spanish
The Spanish word for “scat!” is “ox” — B2 level.
Examples
¡Ox! ¡Fuera de la cocina, gallinas!
Shoo! Out of the kitchen, chickens!
El niño gritaba «¡ox, ox!» para espantar a los pájaros del jardín.
The boy was shouting 'shoo, shoo!' to scare the birds away from the garden.
Se marchó de la reunión sin decir ox ni mox.
He left the meeting without saying a single word.
A Word that Stands Alone
This word is a complete command by itself. You don't need a subject or a verb to use it effectively.
Sound-based Language
This is an onomatopoeia, which means the word itself is designed to sound like the noise humans make to startle birds.
The 'Peep' Rule
While 'ox' on its own is rare, you will see it in the fixed phrase 'ni ox ni mox,' which functions just like the English 'without saying a peep.'
Not for Dogs
Mistake: “Using 'ox' to scare a dog.”
Correction: Use '¡tus!' or '¡fuera!' for dogs; 'ox' is strictly for birds like chickens or pigeons.
Related Translations
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