el carnero
/el kaɾneɾo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "the animal ram" is translated into Spanish as el carnero.
el carnero is used to refer specifically to an adult male sheep.
Which one should you use?
Use el carnero specifically when you are referring to an adult male sheep, whereas la oveja is used to refer to a female sheep or the species in general.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural form "the rams", you change both the article and the noun to their masculine plural forms: los carneros.
How do you pronounce it?
/el kaɾneɾo/
Did you know?
- The word carnero shares a common linguistic ancestor with the English word 'carnivore', as both stem from the Latin word for 'flesh'.
- In various Spanish folklore traditions, the carnero is sometimes used as a symbol of stubbornness or impulsiveness, mirroring the animal's behavior.
- In Spanish, the word carnero is used to describe a specific type of heavy, traditional wool blanket known as a manta de carnero.
Examples in context
- El carnero es un animal resistente de cuerpo robusto.The ram is a sturdy animal with a robust body.
- Juan tiene un macho cabrío muy fuerte en su granja.Juan has a very strong ram on his farm.
- El carnero es muy grande.The ram is very big.
- El carnero tiene cuernos largos.The ram has long horns.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are visiting a local farm.
- AlejandroMira, allá está el carnero.Look, there is the ram.
- ElenaEs un animal impresionante, Alejandro.It is an impressive animal, Alejandro.
- Alejandro¿Crees que el carnero sea agresivo?Do you think the ram is aggressive?
- ElenaNo lo creo, parece tranquilo.I don't think so, he looks calm.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
