perra
/pera/from spelling rules
In Spanish, perra means a female dog.
The primary meaning of perra is a female dog. However, when used to refer to a person, it functions as a highly offensive slang term equivalent to the English word "bitch".
Which one should you use?
While perra refers specifically to a female dog, the masculine form is perro, meaning a male dog.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
When used toward humans, perra is highly offensive slang.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of perra is perras.
How do you pronounce it?
/pera/
Did you know?
- In historical Spanish contexts, perra was a slang term for 'cash' or 'money', derived from the names of specific coins like the perra gorda and perra chica.
- While perra is a harsh insult, adding the word mala to create mala perra can be used in some modern urban contexts as a compliment to describe a woman who is powerful and unapologetic.
- You can use perra as an adjective to describe a task that is 'extremely difficult' or 'tedious'.
Examples in context
- Esa perra es muy territorialThat bitch is very territorial
- Esa perra es muy juguetona.That female dog is very playful.
- La perra duerme en el sofá.The female dog sleeps on the sofa.
- Tengo una perra pequeña y blanca.I have a small, white female dog.
Example conversation
Javier and María are talking about their pets.
- JavierMaría, ¿tienes un perro?María, do you have a dog?
- MaríaSí, tengo una perra llamada Luna.Yes, I have a female dog named Luna.
- Javier¿Es muy traviesa?Is she very naughty?
- MaríaSí, mi perra nunca se queda quieta.Yes, my female dog never stays still.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries perra, CC BY-SA 4.0.
