Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| látigo | /ˈlatiɡo/ | masculine |
| fusta | /ˈfusta/ | feminine |
| flagelo | /flaˈxelo/ | masculine |
| coyunda | /koˈʝunda/ | feminine |
| chicote | /t͡ʃiˈkote/ | masculine |
| tralla | /ˈtɾaʝa/ | feminine |
In Spanish, different words are used to describe a whip depending on its specific type, its material or the context of the situation. While látigo is the general term for a rod or rope used for hitting, you can use the verb azotar to express the action of hitting something with a whip. If you are referring to the act of defeating someone, the phrase dar una paliza is used.
Which one should you use?
The term látigo is the most common and neutral way to say whip. If you are talking about a shorter riding whip or crop used for driving horses, use the specialized term fusta. For a more literary, religious or metaphorical context, often referring to a source of great suffering, the word flagelo is appropriate. In some regions, the colloquial term chicote may be used to refer to a whip or the sound of a lash.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, Central America and several Caribbean countries, chicote specifically refers to a whip made of leather. In Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, the term rebenque is used for a whip used in rural settings for herding cattle or horses.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine noun látigo becomes látigos in its plural form. The feminine noun fusta becomes fustas in its plural form.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈlatiɡo/
Did you know?
- In some linguistic theories, the word látigo may not be Latin in origin but could instead be derived from the Basque word latigoa.
- In many Spanish-speaking regions, the word chicote describes both the physical leather whip and the specific snapping sound it makes.
Examples in context
- El cruel sujeto le pegó al perro con un látigo.The cruel man beat the dog with a whip.This sentence shows the use of látigo to describe a tool used to hit an animal.Tatoeba #1481147 by marcelostockle, translation #47699 by CM
- ¡No puedes entrar a un templo perdido sin tu sombrero y látigo!You can't go inside a lost temple without your hat and whip!This sentence shows how látigo is used as a common object in a sentence.Tatoeba #3523519 by marcelostockle, translation #3523518 by marcelostockle
- El conductor utilizó un látigo para controlar los caballos.The driver used a whip to control the horses.
- El entrenador utilizó la fusta durante la demostración.The trainer used the whip during the demonstration.
- Juan dio un latigazo al perro para que se alejara.Juan gave the dog a whip/strike so that it would move away.
- Pedro utilizó un chicote para arrear el ganado.Pedro used a whip to drive the cattle.
- El jinete guarda el látigo en la silla.The rider keeps the whip in the saddle.
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are preparing for a historical reenactment.
- Lucía¿Dónde has puesto el látigo para el espectáculo?Where did you put the whip for the show?
- MateoEstá sobre la mesa junto a las riendas.It is on the table next to the reins.
- LucíaGracias, Mateo, lo necesito para el caballo.Thanks, Mateo, I need it for the horse.
- MateoDe nada, Lucía, ten mucho cuidado.You're welcome, Lucía, be very careful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “whip” translations and entries látigo, fusta, flagelo, coyunda, chicote, tralla, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries coyunda, flagelo, fusta, látigo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
