Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| vaquero | /baˈkeɾo/ | masculine |
| llanero | /ʝaˈneɾo/ | |
| gaucho | /ˈɡaut͡ʃo/ | masculine |
| huaso | /ˈw̝aso/ /ˈɡwaso/ |
masculine |
The term refers to a person who tends cattle.
Which one should you use?
vaquero is the most general and widely understood term for a cowboy in the Spanish-speaking world.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Several specific terms are used depending on the region: charro refers to a Mexican cowboy or traditional horseman. gaucho refers to the traditional cowboys of the South American plains in the Southern Cone (Argentina, Uruguay and Southern Brazil). llanero refers to the cowboys of the tropical plains in Colombia and Venezuela. And huaso is the term used for a traditional Chilean cowboy.
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine form of vaquero is vaquera.
How do you pronounce it?
/baˈkeɾo/
What mistakes should you avoid?
ganadero primarily refers to a cattle rancher or someone involved in cattle farming.
When do people say it?
In Argentina, gaucho is a cultural reference to a cowboy, while in Venezuela, the term llanero serves as a cultural reference to a cowboy.
Did you know?
- The word vaquero shares a root with the English word 'vaccine', as both come from the Latin word for 'cow'.
- In Colombia and Venezuela, the llanero is famous for 'coleo', a sport where they try to throw a calf to the ground by its tail.
- The term gaucho is a mystery to linguists, as its origins are likely from an indigenous language rather than Latin or Spanish.
Examples in context
- ¿Viste la película de vaqueros anoche en televisión?Did you see the cowboy movie on TV last night?This sentence is useful for discussing cowboy movies.Tatoeba #2192598 by marcelostockle, translation #1474205 by CK
- Yo siempre quise hacerme vaquero, perseguir a los malos, pegar tiros… Pero cuando crecí me di cuenta de que, por desgracia, esa profesión se ha extinguido.I always wanted to be a cowboy, pursuing the bad, shooting… But when I grew up I noticed that unfortunately that profession has vanished.This sentence is useful for discussing the profession of being a cowboy.Tatoeba #2285422 by Shishir, translation #2325440 by BraveSentry
- El vaquero es muy valiente.The cowboy is very brave.This sentence is useful for describing a cowboy's character.
- El ganadero cuida y guía al ganado en la vasta estancia.The cowboy takes care of and guides the cattle on the vast ranch.
- Mi hermano se viste como un cowboy y siempre sueña con viajar a Texas.My brother dresses like a cowboy and always dreams of traveling to Texas.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and María are visiting a ranch.
- DanielMira, aquel vaquero está cuidando las vacas.Look, that cowboy is taking care of the cows.
- MaríaSí, parece que sabe montar muy bien.Yes, it seems like he knows how to ride very well.
- DanielEs un trabajo muy duro para un vaquero.It is a very hard job for a cowboy.
- MaríaTienes razón, trabajan muchas horas al día.You are right, they work many hours a day.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cowboy” translations and entries vaquero, llanero, gaucho, huaso, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gaucho, huaso, llanero, vaquero, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
