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How to Say "zoological garden" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “zoological garden” is “zoo” — use 'zoo' for the most common, informal way to refer to a zoological garden in everyday conversation..

English → Spanish

zoo

/so-oh//ˈso.o/

nounA1informal
Use 'zoo' for the most common, informal way to refer to a zoological garden in everyday conversation.
A simple storybook illustration of a giraffe and an elephant behind a wooden fence at a zoo.

Examples

Quiero ir al zoo para ver los leones.

I want to go to the zoo to see the lions.

El zoo está abierto todos los días.

The zoo is open every day.

Hay muchos animales exóticos en este zoo.

There are many exotic animals in this zoo.

It's a Boy!

Even though it's a short word, it's masculine. You always use 'el' or 'un' with it: 'el zoo'.

A Shortened Version

'Zoo' is just a shorter, easier way to say 'zoológico.' Both are used, but 'zoo' is very common in casual speech.

Gender confusion

Mistake: “La zoo es grande.”

Correction: El zoo es grande. Remember that words ending in 'o' are almost always masculine, even if they are short!

English Pronunciation

Mistake: “Pronouncing it like the English 'zoo' (with a buzzing 'z').”

Correction: In Spanish, the 'z' sounds like an 's' (in Latin America) or a 'th' (in Spain), and you must pronounce both 'o' sounds: /so-oh/.

zoológico

nounA1formal
Use 'zoológico' when you want to use the more formal or official name for a zoological garden.

Examples

Fuimos al zoológico para ver los elefantes.

We went to the zoo to see the elephants.

Informal vs. Formal Usage

The most common mistake is using the formal 'zoológico' when a casual setting calls for the everyday term 'zoo'. Think of it like 'automobile' versus 'car' in English; 'zoo' is the word you'll hear and use most often.

Related Translations

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