cabra
/ˈkabɾa/feminine
The Spanish word for goat is cabra. Wiktionary also lists chivo.
Meaning: animal (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cabra | /ˈkabɾa/ | feminine |
| chivo | /ˈt͡ʃibo/ | masculine |
The term refers to the animal. You may also encounter the idiom estar loco como una cabra, which is used to describe someone who is acting very crazy or wild.
Which one should you use?
The word cabra is the general term for a goat and is the standard word for a female goat, whereas chivo specifically refers to a male goat.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the term cabra is widely used.
How does it change in a sentence?
cabra is feminine and chivo is masculine.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkabɾa/
Did you know?
- While cabra means goat, the word cabrón is a common but potentially offensive derivative used to describe a stubborn or mean person.
- In certain Spanish-speaking Caribbean regions, the word chivo can be used as an informal slang term meaning 'cool' or 'great', completely unrelated to the animal.
- The word chivo is believed to be onomatopoeic, meaning it was created to mimic the actual sound a goat makes.
Examples in context
- Quiero ser una cabra.I want to be a goat.This sentence shows the use of cabra in an aspirational context.Tatoeba #1239439 by hayastan, translation #1239490 by xellugis
- Ella ordeñó una cabra.She milked a goat.This sentence illustrates the action of milking a cabra.Tatoeba #5824601 by albrusgher, translation #2879101 by Amastan
- La cabra está enferma.The goat is sick.This sentence describes the health status of a cabra.Tatoeba #13688892 by Seael, translation #10142222 by samir_t
- En la granja hay varias cabras.On the farm, there are several goats.
- ¿Viste el chivo en el zoológico?Did you see the goat at the zoo?
- 51 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are visiting a farm together.
- MateoMira esa cabra blanca allá.Look at that white goat over there.
- ElenaEs muy linda y pequeña.It is very pretty and small.
- Mateo¿Podemos darle de comer a la cabra?Can we feed the goat?
- ElenaSí, vamos a preguntar al granjero.Yes, let's ask the farmer.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “goat” translations and entries cabra, chivo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cabra, chivo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
