moviendo la cola
/mobjendo la kola/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'wagging' can be translated into Spanish as moviendo la cola.
The phrase describes the specific action of a dog moving its tail quickly from side to side.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a literal construction where moviendo means 'moving' and la cola means 'the tail'.
Which one should you use?
While moviendo la cola describes the continuous action (wagging), the form mueve la cola is used to describe a habit or a simple present action, such as saying a dog 'wags its tail'. Additionally, meneando la cola can be used to specifically mean 'shaking the tail'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, you may hear the phrase mover la colita, which conveys the meaning of 'wagging the little tail'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To describe the continuous action of the movement occurring, use the gerund form moviendo la cola. If you are describing a general habit, use the form mueve la cola.
How do you pronounce it?
/mobjendo la kola/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, the word cola is also common slang for 'bottom' or 'backside'. Depending on the region, describing someone moviendo la cola might be interpreted as a dance move rather than a dog's action.
- In Spanish, the word cola can refer to a dog's tail, but it is also the standard word for 'glue'.
- The word cola is a cognate of the French word queue. Both derive from the Latin cauda, which originally referred to the tail of an animal.
Examples in context
- El perro estaba moviendo la cola.The dog was wagging his tail.This sentence is useful for practicing the continuous form moviendo la cola.Tatoeba #1443624 by hayastan, translation #48272 by CK
- El perro siguió a su amo, moviendo la cola.The dog followed its master, wagging its tail.This sentence shows how to use moviendo la cola to describe a dog's simultaneous action.Tatoeba #683117 by Shishir, translation #682879 by Chelsea
- El perro mueve la cola con alegría.The dog wags its tail happily
- ¡Mira cómo el perro está meneando la cola!Look at how the dog is wagging its tail!
- Ese gato está moviendo el rabo de un lado a otro.That cat is wagging its tail from side to side.
- El cachorro entró a la sala moviendo la cola.The puppy entered the living room wagging its tail.
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are watching a puppy at the park.
- Daniel¡Mira ese perrito, está moviendo la cola!Look at that little dog, he is wagging his tail!
- Sofía¡Es muy tierno ver a un perro moviendo la cola así!It is very cute to see a dog wagging its tail like that!
- DanielParece que está muy feliz de vernos.It seems he is very happy to see us.
- SofíaSí, es un perro muy amigable.Yes, he is a very friendly dog.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cola, la, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
