animales callejeros
/animales kaʝexeɾos/from spelling rules
The English phrase "stray animals" is translated into Spanish as animales callejeros.
This phrase refers to animals that have no home and live on the streets.
What does it mean word for word?
The adjective callejeros is derived from calle (street), meaning "street-dwelling" or "of the streets".
Which one should you use?
You can also use the formal term Animales abandonados when you want to focus specifically on the fact that they were abandoned. For a more affectionate or informal tone, you can use the expression Animalitos de la calle, which translates to "little animals of the street".
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to a single stray animal, use the singular form animal callejero.
How do you pronounce it?
/animales kaʝexeɾos/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking countries, callejero can be used as a slang term for a person who spends all their time wandering the streets or hanging out in public spaces.
- The word calle comes from the Latin 'callis', which originally referred to a narrow path or a track rather than a paved city street.
- Using the diminutive animalitos instead of animales shifts the meaning from a biological description to an expression of emotional warmth and empathy.
Examples in context
- En mi ciudad hay muchos animales callejeros. Debemos trabajar juntos para encontrarles hogares.In my city, there are many stray animals. We must work together to find them homes.
- Hay muchos animales callejeros en este parque.There are many stray animals in this park.
- Debemos ayudar a los animales callejeros.We must help stray animals.
- Ella cuida de los animales callejeros de la zona.She takes care of the stray animals in the area.
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are walking in a park.
- ElenaMira ese perro, es uno de los animales callejeros.Look at that dog, it is one of the stray animals.
- MateoPobre perro, parece que tiene hambre.Poor dog, it looks like it is hungry.
- Elena¿Quieres ayudarme a alimentar a los animales callejeros?Do you want to help me feed the stray animals?
- MateoSí, Elena, me encantaría ayudar.Yes, Elena, I would love to help.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
