cobayas
/kobaʝas/from spelling rules
The English phrase "guinea pigs" is translated into Spanish as cobayas.
The term refers to small rodents often kept as pets.
Which one should you use?
While cobayas is the most common term used for the pet, conejillos de Indias is often used in more scientific or formal contexts. In the Andean region, cuyes refers specifically to the breed of guinea pig that is raised for food, but is also used for guinea pigs in general.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term cuyes is used in the Andean region, particularly Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia, to refer to guinea pigs.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of the phrase is cobaya, and the plural form is cobayas.
How do you pronounce it?
/kobaʝas/
Did you know?
- In some Andean communities, the cuy is used in traditional medicine as a diagnostic tool, where a healer rubs the animal over a patient to identify ailments.
- While cobayas is the common term for pets, the word cuy is an onomatopoeia reflecting the high-pitched whistling sounds the animals make.
- In Peru, the cuy is so culturally significant that it has its own specialized cookbooks and is often served as a whole roasted animal during celebrations.
Examples in context
- Los gatos son distantes, las cobayas son nerviosas y los perros necesitan cariño constante y atención.Cats are aloof, guinea pigs are nervous, and dogs need constant love and attention.This sentence is useful for comparing the temperaments of different animals, using the plural form cobayas.Tatoeba #5709153 by albrusgher, translation #3142026 by patgfisher
- La UE está prohibiendo la venta de cosméticos testados en cobayas.The EU is banning the sale of cosmetics tested on guinea pigs.This sentence is useful for discussing the use of animals in cosmetic testing, using the plural form cobayas.Tatoeba #1105951 by alexmarcelo, translation #12827879 by Yepthatscool
- Los cuyes son unas mascotas muy simpáticas.Guinea pigs are very cute pets.
- ¡Mis cobayos son tan juguetones!My guinea pigs are so playful!
- Tenemos dos conejillos de Indias en casa. Se llaman Chocolate y Caramelo.We have two guinea pigs at home. Their names are Chocolate and Caramelo.
Example conversation
Mateo and María are talking about their pets.
- MateoMaría, ¿cuántas cobayas tienes?María, how many guinea pigs do you have?
- MaríaTengo dos cobayas muy tranquilas.I have two very calm guinea pigs.
- MateoMe gustaría comprar unas cobayas también.I would like to buy some guinea pigs too.
- MaríaSon mascotas geniales, Mateo.They are great pets, Mateo.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
