gallina
/ɡaˈʝina/feminine
The Spanish word for hen is gallina.
The term gallina refers specifically to a female chicken.
Meaning: female chicken (noun)
Which one should you use?
The masculine form gallo is used for a rooster, whereas the feminine form gallina is used for a hen.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
gallina is a colloquial term.
How does it change in a sentence?
gallina is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡaˈʝina/
Did you know?
- Depending on the region, the plural gallinas is sometimes used as a slang term for people who are perceived as gossips.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, the word gallina is used in the phrase gallina flaca to describe someone who is very thin.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, calling someone a gallina is a common way to call them a 'coward'.
Examples in context
- La gallina puso cinco huevos.The hen hatched five eggs.Tatoeba #1933481 by marcelostockle, translation #49846 by CM
- La gallina ha puesto un huevo.The hen has laid an egg.Tatoeba #2801156 by wallebot, translation #49844 by CK
- Una gallina puso un huevo en mi armario.A hen laid an egg in my closet.Tatoeba #2511605 by marcelostockle, translation #698985 by papabear
- La gallina puso un huevo.The hen laid an egg.
- Las gallinas están en el corral.The hens are in the coop.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are walking through a small farm.
- JavierMira esa gallina blanca.Look at that white hen.
- SofíaEs muy bonita, Javier.She is very pretty, Javier.
- Javier¿Crees que tiene pollitos?Do you think she has chicks?
- SofíaEsa gallina parece muy activa.That hen looks very active.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hen” translations and entries gallina, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
