pata de cabra
/ˌpata de ˈkabɾa/
A pry bar in Spanish is pata de cabra.
The term refers to a metal tool with a curved or angled end that acts as a lever to lift or pull objects apart.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, pata de cabra translates to 'goat's leg'.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌpata de ˈkabɾa/
When do people say it?
The term pata de cabra is used because the curved shape of the tool's end resembles a goat's hoof or leg.
Did you know?
- Spanish distinguishes between pie for a human foot and pata for the foot of an animal or a piece of furniture.
- The word cabra shares its ancient linguistic roots with the English word 'Capricorn', referring to the goat of the zodiac.
- The word pata has a curious linguistic journey, descending from the Vulgar Latin *patta, which means 'paw' or 'foot'. It is actually a cognate of the English word 'patten', a type of footwear.
Examples in context
- Necesito una pata de cabra para abrir esta caja.I need a pry bar to open this box.
- La pata de cabra está en la caja de herramientas.The pry bar is in the toolbox.
- Usa la pata de cabra para levantar esa madera.Use the pry bar to lift that wood.
Example conversation
Mateo and María are renovating an old house.
- Mateo¿Tienes una pata de cabra a mano?Do you have a pry bar handy?
- MaríaSí, la tengo en el garaje.Yes, I have it in the garage.
- MateoTráela para quitar estas tablas del suelo.Bring it to remove these floorboards.
- MaríaVoy a buscarla ahora mismo.I will go look for it right now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry pata de cabra, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cabra, de, pata, pata de cabra, CC BY-SA 4.0.
