oveja negra
/oˌbexa ˈneɡɾa/
The English phrase 'black sheep' is translated into Spanish as oveja negra.
The term oveja negra is used to describe a nonconformist. It is the most commonly used term for black sheep in Spanish and is understood universally.
Meaning: nonconformist (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a literal translation of 'black sheep': oveja means 'sheep' and negra means 'black'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the feminine noun oveja and the feminine adjective negra, so it must agree in gender even if referring to a male person. To make the phrase plural, both the noun and the adjective must take the plural suffix -s.
How do you pronounce it?
/oˌbexa ˈneɡɾa/
Did you know?
- While oveja negra describes a nonconformist, a person who is socially awkward or an outcast might be called un bicho raro, which literally means 'a strange bug'.
- The word oveja is actually a diminutive of the Latin word for sheep, stemming from ovicula, which literally means 'little sheep'.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, being the oveja negra is framed as a badge of courage and independence rather than a source of shame.
Examples in context
- Es la oveja negra de la familia.He is the black sheep of the family.This sentence shows how to use oveja negra to describe a third person.Tatoeba #514308 by Shishir, translation #27841 by jakov
- Soy la oveja negra de la familia.I'm the black sheep of the family.This sentence shows how to use oveja negra to describe oneself.Tatoeba #1421807 by marcelostockle, translation #320340 by CK
- Hay una oveja negra en cada rebaño.There's a black sheep in every flock.This sentence uses oveja negra in a more general context about a flock.Tatoeba #5867608 by albrusgher, translation #37453 by CK
- Juan siempre ha sido considerado la oveja negra de la familiaJuan has always been considered the black sheep of the family
- A mi hermano le encanta ser el bicho raro de la familiaMy brother loves being the black sheep of the family
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are talking about their siblings.
- ElenaMi hermano nunca quiso estudiar medicina.My brother never wanted to study medicine.
- AlejandroEntonces él es la oveja negra.Then he is the black sheep.
- ElenaSí, pero ahora es un artista exitoso.Yes, but now he is a successful artist.
- AlejandroA veces ser la oveja negra es bueno.Sometimes being the black sheep is good.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry oveja negra, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries oveja, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
