rata fea
/rata fea/from spelling rules
The English phrase "ugly rat" is translated into Spanish as rata fea.
This phrase is used to describe a rodent that is not pleasant to look at.
How do you pronounce it?
/rata fea/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, calling someone a rata is often a way to call them a 'cheapskate' or someone who is stingy with money, rather than commenting on their appearance.
- In certain contexts, calling someone a rata de biblioteca is a way to describe a 'bookworm', turning the rodent imagery into a compliment for a scholar.
- The Spanish word rata may actually stem from the Latin word 'rāta', which means 'established' or 'certain'.
Examples in context
- Vi una rata fea en el jardín.I saw an ugly rat in the garden.
- Esa rata fea corre por la cocina.That ugly rat runs through the kitchen.
- No quiero tocar a esa rata fea.I don't want to touch that ugly rat.
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are looking at a pet store window.
- DanielMira esa rata fea, Lucía.Look at that ugly rat, Lucía.
- LucíaNo es fea, es muy tierna.It is not ugly, it is very cute.
- DanielSigue siendo una rata fea para mí.It is still an ugly rat to me.
- LucíaTú no sabes nada de mascotas.You don't know anything about pets.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries rata, CC BY-SA 4.0.
