Buen perrito
/bwen perito/from spelling rules
The English phrase "good puppy" is translated into Spanish as Buen perrito.
Buen perrito is used as a direct address to praise a dog for behaving well. You may also use the exclamation ¡Qué perrito tan bueno! to say "What a good little dog!"
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of buen (good) and perrito (little dog/puppy).
How does it change in a sentence?
If the dog is female, you must use the feminine forms buena perrita.
Did you know?
- While perrito literally means 'little dog', Spanish speakers use this diminutive form for dogs of any size to show affection. You can call a massive Great Dane a perrito without implying he is small.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, using the diminutive perrito is not just for affection but a way to soften a command, making a request feel less like an order and more like a plea.
- The suffix -ito in perrito comes from the Late Latin -ittus. This small ending can transform a neutral word into an expression of endearment, warmth or pity.
Examples in context
- ¡Buen cachorro! Eres muy obediente.Good puppy! You are very obedient.
- ¡Qué buen perrito! Aprendiste rápido.What a good little dog! You learned quickly.
- Buen perrito, te sentaste muy bien.Good puppy, you sat very well.
- Eres un buen perrito, ven aquí.You are a good puppy, come here.
Example conversation
Alejandro is training his new dog in the park while María watches.
- María¿Cómo se porta tu nuevo perro?How is your new dog behaving?
- AlejandroEs muy obediente, ¡buen perrito!He is very obedient, good puppy!
- MaríaSe ve que lo cuidas mucho.It looks like you take great care of him.
- AlejandroSí, es un buen perrito y muy tranquilo.Yes, he is a good puppy and very calm.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries buen, perrito, CC BY-SA 4.0.
