eres una rata fea
/eɾes una ɾata fea/from spelling rules
The English phrase "you're an ugly rat" is translated into Spanish as eres una rata fea.
This is an insulting phrase used to call someone physically unattractive and contemptible.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of eres (you are), una (a/an), rata (rat) and fea (ugly).
How does it change in a sentence?
In Spanish, the adjective fea typically follows the noun rata in this construction. Because rata is a feminine noun, the adjective fea must also be used in its feminine form.
How do you pronounce it?
/eɾes una ɾata fea/
Did you know?
- The verb eres is actually a fossil from the Latin future tense, making it a rare survivor of an ancient grammatical form that replaced the standard Latin 'you are'.
- If you call a man a rata fea, you must still use the feminine form of the adjective fea because the gender of the noun rata always overrides the gender of the person.
- The word rata functions as a linguistic chameleon in Spanish slang, shifting from a physical rodent to a term for a thief, a cheat, or even a person who is incredibly stingy.
Examples in context
- Eres una rata fea y no te soporto.You're an ugly rat and I can't stand you.
Example conversation
Two people are arguing in a heated disagreement.
- MaríaNo quiero hablar contigo.I don't want to talk to you.
- Mateo¡Eres una rata fea!You're an ugly rat!
- María¡Qué grosero eres, Mateo!How rude you are, Mateo!
- MateoEs la verdad.It is the truth.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries eres, rata, una, CC BY-SA 4.0.
