vaca
/ˈbaka/
vaca is the Spanish word for cow.
The word vaca refers to a large domesticated animal kept for its milk or meat. In professional, agricultural or scientific settings, you may encounter more formal terms such as Ganado Vacuno to describe cattle or Bovino to refer to bovine species in general.
Which one should you use?
While vaca refers specifically to the female, the term toro is used to refer to a male bovine (bull).
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural, use vacas.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbaka/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, the term vaca is used in the phrase hacer una vaca, which means for a group of people to pool their money together for a shared expense.
- In certain slang contexts in Spain, the term vaca can be used to describe someone who is perceived as being very large or heavy in a derogatory way.
- While vaca is the standard term, in many Latin American countries, people use the word res to refer to a single head of cattle when discussing meat or value in a commercial sense.
Examples in context
- Tengo una vaca en mi granjaI have a cow on my farm
- La vaca es muy grande.The cow is very big.
- Esa vaca está en el campo.That cow is in the field.
- Compré leche de una vaca.I bought milk from a cow.
Example conversation
Javier and María are looking at a farm from a car.
- JavierMira esa vaca blanca.Look at that white cow.
- MaríaEs una vaca muy bonita.It is a very pretty cow.
- JavierParece muy tranquila.She looks very calm.
- MaríaSí, la vaca está comiendo.Yes, the cow is eating.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry vaca, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
