a caballito
/a kabaʝito/from spelling rules
The English phrase "piggyback ride" can be translated into Spanish as a caballito.
The phrase a caballito is used to describe the act of carrying someone on one's back or shoulders. It is most commonly used when describing carrying a child on one's back or shoulders.
What does it mean word for word?
The term caballito literally translates to "little horse", so the full phrase a caballito translates to "on a little horse", referring to the person being carried.
Which one should you use?
Another common way to express carrying someone on one's back is using the phrase a cuestas.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the action of giving a piggyback ride, use the verb llevar (to carry) with the phrase a caballito.
How do you pronounce it?
/a kabaʝito/
Did you know?
- If you tell a driver in certain Latin American countries that you are driving a caballito, they will not think you are carrying a passenger, but rather that you are performing a stunt by lifting the front wheel off the ground.
- While a caballito is playful, the related phrase a cuestas is used metaphorically in Spanish to describe someone who is emotionally overwhelmed by their responsibilities.
- Because caballito refers to a 'little horse', many Spanish speakers will use the verb montar (to ride) when describing the act, treating the person being carried as if they were an animal being mounted.
Examples in context
- ¿Me puedes llevar a caballito?Can you give me a piggyback ride?
- El niño le pidió a su padre que lo llevara a caballito.The child asked his father to give him a piggyback ride.
- ¿Me puedes cargar a cuestas un rato?Can you give me a piggyback ride for a while?
- Cargó a cuestas a su hermanito durante el paseo.He carried his little brother on his back during the walk.
- El niño estaba emocionado porque su hermana mayor lo llevaba a hombros.The child was excited because his older sister was giving him a piggyback ride.
- Puedes llevar a la bebé a caballito.You can carry the baby on your back.
- Le di un paseo a caballito por el parque.I gave her a piggyback ride through the park.
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are at a park with a small child.
- JavierLucía, el niño quiere ir a caballito.Lucía, the boy wants a piggyback ride.
- LucíaClaro, yo lo cargo ahora.Sure, I'll carry him now.
- JavierToma cuidado al subirlo.Be careful when lifting him up.
- LucíaNo te preocupes, ya lo tengo a caballito.Don't worry, I have him on my back already.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
