perro
neutral
The word for "dog" is perro in Mexico. A female dog is perra, a puppy is cachorro and perrito is a friendly small dog. It is also called chucho.
Meaning: domestic canine (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| perro | neutral |
| chucho | colloquial |
| perrito | affectionate, Mexico |
Use perrito for a small or cute dog, and also for a puppy. Chucho is a colloquial word for a dog that is often a mixed breed.
What mistakes should you avoid?
The word perra for a female dog can also be an insult for a woman, so use perro hembra if you want to be clear and polite.
When do people say it?
Mexico has its own ancient breed, the xoloitzcuintle, a hairless dog whose name comes from Nahuatl.
Did you know?
- The xoloitzcuintle has been in Mexico for thousands of years and is often linked with Mexican culture.
Examples in context
- Mi perro se llama Canelo.My dog is named Canelo.
- Adoptamos un perrito de la calle.We adopted a little dog from the street.
- Hay que sacar al perro a pasear.We have to take the dog for a walk.
Example conversation
Carolina and her son Diego decide to adopt a dog in Querétaro.
- DiegoMamá, ¿podemos adoptar un perrito?Mom, can we adopt a little dog?
- CarolinaEstá bien, pero tú lo sacas a pasear.All right, but you take him for walks.
- Diego¡Sí! Lo voy a llamar Canelo.Yes! I am going to call him Canelo.
