una perra está en celo
/una pera esta en θelo/from spelling rules
The phrase "a dog is in heat" in Spanish is una perra está en celo.
This phrase describes a female dog that is in the period of her reproductive cycle when she can be bred. The phrase uses the verb estar because being in heat is considered a temporary state or condition rather than a permanent characteristic.
What does it mean word for word?
The word celo literally means heat or rut in the context of animal reproduction.
Which one should you use?
La perra está en periodo de celo is a professional or technical way to say a dog is in heat. La perra está en su período fértil refers to the fertile period of the dog's heat cycle. La perra está en su tiempo is an informal way to say a dog is in heat.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the feminine noun perra (female dog) because only female dogs experience heat.
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the word celo has a completely unrelated second meaning: 'sellotape' or 'clear adhesive tape'. This version of the word is a clipping of the English brand name 'Sellotape'.
- Because perra is the feminine form of perro, using it in a non-biological context can be a strong insult in many Spanish-speaking cultures.
- While celo refers to animal heat, it is also used in Spanish to describe 'jealousy' or 'zeal' in a human context, such as 'celos' meaning jealousy.
Examples in context
- Mi perrita está en celo y necesito tomar ciertas precauciones.My female dog is in heat, and I need to take certain precautions.
- Parece que una perra está en celo.It looks like a dog is in heat.
Example conversation
Daniel and María are talking about their pets at home.
- DanielMaría, ¿por qué no sacas a tu mascota?María, why aren't you taking your pet out?
- MaríaNo puedo, porque una perra está en celo ahora.I can't, because a dog is in heat right now.
- DanielEntiendo, es mejor mantenerla dentro de casa.I understand, it is better to keep her inside the house.
- MaríaSí, así evitamos cualquier problema.Yes, that way we avoid any problems.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries celo, en, perra, una, CC BY-SA 4.0.
