castrar
/kasˈtɾaɾ/
The Spanish word for 'neuter' is castrar.
In a grammatical context, this term refers to having a form that is neither masculine nor feminine. It is also used as a verb meaning to remove the sex organs from an animal.
Meaning: grammar: having a form which is not masculine nor feminine (adj)
Which one should you use?
capar is also used specifically to mean 'to neuter' an animal.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/kasˈtɾaɾ/
Did you know?
- In Spanish grammar, there are no truly neuter nouns, but the language uses neuter articles like lo to turn adjectives into abstract concepts.
- While castrar is the technical term, the more common word capar shares a root with the English word 'capon', which refers to a castrated rooster.
- The term castrar carries a much more clinical and severe connotation in Spanish than 'neuter' does in English, often sounding more like 'to castrate' in a medical or harsh context.
Examples in context
- Es crucial castrar o esterilizar a las mascotas para controlar la población animal.It's crucial to neuter pets to control the animal population.
- Algunos animales tienen género neutro, como los caracoles.Some animals have a neutral gender, like snails.
- Mi perro ha sido capado para evitar crías no deseadas.My dog has been neutered to prevent unwanted offspring.
- Ese maniquí de escaparate parece sin género definido.That shop mannequin appears to be without a defined gender.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry castrar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
