oveja
/oˈbexa/feminine
The Spanish word for sheep is oveja. Wiktionary also lists carnero.
Meaning: animal (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| oveja | /oˈbexa/ | feminine |
| carnero | /kaɾˈneɾo/ | masculine |
The term is used to refer to the animal, specifically a female sheep or the species in general.
Which one should you use?
oveja is the feminine form used for a female sheep or as a general term for the species, while carnero is used specifically when referring to a male sheep (a ram).
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of oveja is ovejas, and the plural of carnero is carneros.
How do you pronounce it?
/oˈbexa/
Did you know?
- Spanish has a specific word, trasquilado, to describe a sheep that has been shorn poorly or too short.
- The word oveja is a distant relative of the Russian word ovca, as both trace back to the same Proto-Indo-European root.
- In many Spanish-speaking contexts, referring to a group of people as ovejas can imply they are followers who blindly follow a leader.
Examples in context
- Él esquiló la oveja.He clipped the sheep.This sentence shows how to use the verb for clipping a sheep with oveja.Tatoeba #1369655 by hayastan, translation #304518 by CM
- Él compró una oveja.He bought a sheep.This sentence illustrates the act of buying a sheep using oveja.Tatoeba #13812829 by Seael, translation #8091924 by Talwit
- La oveja está balando.The sheep is bleating.This sentence demonstrates the sheep making a sound using oveja.Tatoeba #1669045 by marcelostockle, translation #1663012 by Amastan
- Tenemos un rebaño de ovejas en nuestra granja.We have a flock of sheep on our farm.
- El carnero está pastando pacíficamente en el prado.The sheep is peacefully grazing in the meadow.
- Los niños están jugando con los borregos en la granja.The children are playing with the sheep on the farm.
- 62 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are visiting a farm.
- DanielMira, Sofía, esa oveja es muy pequeña.Look, Sofía, that sheep is very small.
- SofíaEs verdad, es muy linda la oveja.It's true, the sheep is very cute.
- Daniel¿Crees que la oveja sea amigable?Do you think the sheep is friendly?
- SofíaSí, Daniel, parece muy tranquila.Yes, Daniel, it seems very calm.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sheep” translations and entries oveja, carnero, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries carnero, oveja, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
