The Meaning of cabra
Cabra
Definition:
“Cabra” is the Spanish word for “goat,” which refers to the domesticated animal (Capra aegagrus hircus) that is often kept for its milk, meat, and sometimes wool.
Usage:
- In a literal sense: “La cabra come hierba en el campo.” (The goat eats grass in the field.)
- In a figurative sense: In some Spanish-speaking cultures, calling someone a “cabra” may imply that they are wild, mischievous, or eccentric.
Etymology:
The word “cabra” comes from the Latin “capra,” which also means “goat.” This term is part of a wider family of words in Romance languages related to goats, stemming from the Proto-Indo-European root *gʰebʰ-, which means “to have” or “to hold,” possibly referring to the goat’s domestication and utility.
Pronunciation:
/cá-bra/ (IPA: /ˈka.βɾa/)
The stress is on the first syllable.
Synonyms:
- “Chivo” (slang usage, particularly in some Latin American countries, often refers specifically to male goats)
- “Capra” (used in scientific or agricultural contexts)
Antonyms:
- “Oveja” (sheep) – a different domesticated animal often contrasted with goats; sheep are typically used for wool and meat but not milk in the same contexts as goats.
This comprehensive breakdown encapsulates the multifaceted nature of the word “cabra” in Spanish.
-
La cabra subió rápidamente por la montaña.
(The goat quickly climbed up the mountain.) -
Tengo una cabra que llama Galleta.
(I have a goat named Cookie.) -
En la granja hay una cabra y tres ovejas.
(On the farm, there is one goat and three sheep.) -
La leche de cabra es muy nutritiva.
(Goat’s milk is very nutritious.) -
La cabra se escapó y corrió hacia el bosque.
(The goat escaped and ran into the woods.)