Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| mascota | /masˈkota/ | feminine |
| animal de compañía | /aniˌmal de kompaˈɲia/ | masculine |
| animal doméstico | /aniˌmal doˈmestiko/ | masculine |
| animal de compaña | /animal de kompaɲa/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| animal acompañante | /animal akompaɲante/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| animal acompañador | /animal akompaɲadoɾ/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
The term for an animal kept as a companion is most commonly mascota. In certain contexts, mascota can also refer to a team mascot or a lucky charm. If you wish to express endearment, you can use the informal term animalito.
Which one should you use?
While mascota is the most common way to say 'pet', animal de compañía is a more formal or technical way to refer to a companion animal. Other variations include animal doméstico, animal de compaña, animal acompañante and animal acompañador.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, it is common to use the term animal de compañía in both formal and informal contexts.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Mascota is a feminine noun, which means it must be used with feminine adjectives, such as mascota bonita. To express the plural 'pets', use mascotas.
How do you pronounce it?
/masˈkota/
Did you know?
- The word compañía in the phrase animal de compañía shares a root with the word 'bread'. It comes from the Latin words meaning 'with' and 'bread', implying that a companion is someone you share bread with.
- In some Spanish-speaking contexts, calling someone a mascota can be a way of saying they are a 'pet' or a 'favorite' of a person in power, similar to how one might describe a 'teacher's pet' in English.
- In Spanish, the diminutive animalito is frequently used as a term of endearment for a pet, regardless of the animal's actual size.
Examples in context
- Mi mascota está enferma.My pet is sick.This sentence is useful for describing the health status of your mascota.Tatoeba #1105102 by Shishir, translation #1388183 by marcelostockle
- Quiero un tigre de mascota.I want a pet tiger.This sentence shows how to express a desire for a specific mascota.Tatoeba #1512816 by marcelostockle, translation #1511787 by CK
- Tengo un conejo como mascota.I keep a rabbit as a pet.This sentence demonstrates how to use the word mascota when talking about keeping an animal.Tatoeba #1427628 by hayastan, translation #1346306 by Spamster
- Tengo una mascota muy cariñosa.I have a very affectionate pet.
- Mi abuela tiene un animal de compañía llamado Max.My grandmother has a companion animal named Max.
- Mi animalito es un gato muy travieso.My pet is a very mischievous cat.
- Hoy llevaré a mi mascotita al parque para jugar.Today, I will take my little pet to the park to play.
- 37 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maria and Daniel are talking about their animals.
- María¿Tienes alguna mascota, Daniel?Do you have any pets, Daniel?
- DanielSí, tengo una mascota que es un perro.Yes, I have a pet that is a dog.
- MaríaMi mascota es un gato blanco.My pet is a white cat.
- Daniel¡Qué bien! Me gustan todas las mascotas.That's great! I like all pets.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pet” translations and entries mascota, animal de compañía, animal doméstico, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries animal, animal de compañía, compaña, compañía, de, doméstico, mascota, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
