gato y perro
/ɡato i pero/from spelling rules
The English phrase "cat and dog" is translated into Spanish as gato y perro.
This phrase refers to two common domestic animals: a feline and a canine.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the informal term minino is used to refer to a cat. In Colombia, michino is a common way to refer to cats.
How does it change in a sentence?
The conjunction y (and) is used to connect the two nouns. While gato y perro uses the masculine forms, you should use the feminine forms gata y perra if you are specifically referring to female animals.
Did you know?
- While English uses 'raining cats and dogs', Spanish speakers say llueve a cántaros, which means it is raining 'pitchers'.
- In Spanish, the word gato can also refer to a jack used for lifting a car.
- If you are in a culinary context, the word gato might not refer to a feline at all. In some contexts, it is a borrowed term from the French word gâteau, meaning 'cake'.
Examples in context
- Ellos pelean como gato y perro.They fight like cat and dog.This sentence is useful for showing how to use gato y perro in an idiomatic expression regarding fighting.Tatoeba #2112952 by marcelostockle, translation #463186 by lukaszpp
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are talking about their pets.
- MateoSofía, ¿tienes un gato y perro?Sofía, do you have a cat and dog?
- SofíaNo, solo tengo un gato.No, I only have a cat.
- MateoYo quiero un gato y perro.I want a cat and dog.
- SofíaSería muy divertido, Mateo.That would be very fun, Mateo.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gato, perro, y, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
