pienso
/ˈpjenso/masculine
The English phrase "animal feed" is translated into Spanish as pienso.
pienso refers to material prepared as feed for domestic or farm animals. While alimento is a general term for any kind of food, pienso specifically implies processed or manufactured feed, such as pellets or grains prepared for livestock.
Meaning: material prepared as feed for domestic or farm animals (noun)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
alimento para animales is a more descriptive and formal way to refer to animal feed than the single word pienso.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the phrase alimento balanceado can be used to refer to animal feed. In Argentina, the word forraje is used to refer to animal feed. In Spain, the phrase pienso para animales is used to express animal feed.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form piensos is used when referring to different types or varieties of animal feed.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈpjenso/
Did you know?
- In a linguistic twist, the noun pienso is a 'deverbal' noun, meaning it is derived directly from the verb pensar, which means 'to think'.
- In Mexico, the term alimento balanceado is common. This emphasizes the nutritional science and 'balance' of the ingredients rather than just the material itself.
Examples in context
- Necesito comprar alimento para animales para mis vacas.I need to buy animal feed for my cows.
- La tienda de mascotas vende comida para animales de granja.The pet store sells animal feed for farm animals.
- Voy a comprar comida de animales para mis perros.I'm going to buy animal feed for my dogs.
- El pienso es muy caro este año.Animal feed is very expensive this year.
- Compré un saco de pienso para los cerdos.I bought a bag of feed for the pigs.
- Necesitamos más pienso para las gallinas.We need more feed for the chickens.
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are in a farm supply store.
- Elena¿Tienes pienso para los conejos, Mateo?Do you have feed for the rabbits, Mateo?
- MateoSí, lo tenemos en el pasillo cuatro.Yes, we have it in aisle four.
- ElenaPerfecto, buscaré el saco de pienso.Perfect, I will look for the bag of feed.
- MateoAvísame si necesitas ayuda con la carga.Let me know if you need help with the loading.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “animal feed” translations and entries pienso, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pienso, CC BY-SA 4.0.
