gato calicó
/ɡato kaliko/from spelling rulesmasculine
The English word "calico" is translated into Spanish as gato calicó.
The phrase is used to refer to a calico cat, specifically identifying the cat by its distinctive multicolored coat pattern.
Meaning: cat (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is a masculine noun phrase consisting of the noun gato and the adjective calicó.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈɡato kaˈliko/
Did you know?
- While gato calicó describes a patterned cat, the word gato alone can also mean a mechanical jack used to lift a vehicle. If you ask for a gato in a garage, you will receive a tool rather than a pet.
- The adjective calicó is actually a textile term, referring to a type of printed cotton fabric from Calicut, India. It describes the cat's fur pattern by comparing it to the multicolored patterns found on that specific cloth.
- In certain Spanish-speaking regions, calling someone a gato is not a compliment, as it is used as slang for a servant or a lackey.
Examples in context
- Mi vecina tiene un gato tricolor muy lindo.My neighbor has a very cute calico cat.
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are looking at a photo of a pet.
- LucíaMira la foto de mi gato calicó.Look at the photo of my calico cat.
- Alejandro¡Qué bonito es tu gato calicó!How beautiful your calico cat is!
- LucíaGracias, Alejandro, es muy juguetón.Thanks, Alejandro, he is very playful.
- AlejandroMe encantan los gatos de ese color.I love cats of that color.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “calico” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries calicó, gato, CC BY-SA 4.0.
