Rabbit In Spanish Dictionary

The standard Spanish translation for “rabbit” is “conejo” (masculine) or “coneja” (feminine), depending on the animal’s sex.

You’re at a Spanish market pointing at a fluffy female rabbit and confidently say “Un conejo, por favor.” The vendor smiles and corrects you: “Es una coneja, señor.” That small slip happens all the time because English doesn’t assign gender to animals the way Spanish does.

The honest answer is that the Spanish word for rabbit depends on gender, and there are also affectionate diminutives and regional slang that learners often miss. This article breaks down the full range of translations so you can use the right word in any situation.

The Basic Translation And Its Gender

The most straightforward Spanish translation for rabbit is “conejo” (masculine). Use this for a male rabbit or when the animal’s sex is unknown. For a female rabbit, the correct term is “coneja” (feminine), exactly like gato/gata or perro/perra.

In culinary contexts, rabbit meat is always “conejo,” regardless of the animal’s sex. Order “conejo al ajillo” at a Spanish restaurant and you’ll get a garlic rabbit dish, not a gender debate. The plural “conejos” refers to a group of rabbits, while “coneja” can also appear in collective terms like “granja de conejas” (rabbitry).

Knowing the gender distinction is essential because Spanish speakers will naturally use “coneja” for a doe. If you default to “conejo” in a pet shop, the conversation may stumble until you clarify.

Why Gender Matters More Than You Think

English speakers learning Spanish often shrug off noun gender, but animals are one area where it can cause real confusion. The difference between “conejo” and “coneja” is not just grammatical — it affects clarity and naturalness.

• Calling a female rabbit “conejo” sounds as odd as calling a woman “him” in English. Native speakers will correct you politely, but it may mark you as a beginner.
• In formal writing or biology, using the correct gender shows precision. A field guide to Oryctolagus cuniculus would distinguish between male and female specimens.
• When speaking about someone’s pet, asking “¿Es conejo o coneja?” demonstrates respect for the animal’s identity and for the owner’s knowledge.
• Mastering gender early helps with other common animal words — dog/cat, goat/sheep, horse — all of which have separate masculine and feminine forms in Spanish.
• In some slang uses, “coneja” can refer to a woman (similar to “bunny” in English), though this is less common and context-dependent.

Getting gender right is a small habit that yields large payoffs in fluency. Spanish speakers notice when learners care about these details.

Beyond The Basic: Diminutives And Slang

Spanish loves diminutives, and rabbits are no exception. You’ll hear “conejito” (little rabbit) and “conejillo” (another diminutive) used affectionately for pets or baby rabbits. “Gazapo” is a specific term for a young rabbit, common in Spain.

SpanishDict notes that “conejo” and “coneja” are the base forms, while “conejito” and “gazapo” are common variants — see its Spanish translation of rabbit page for the full list. The feminine “conejita” also exists, though some sources indicate it can carry slang associations with Playboy bunnies.

These terms give you flexibility. Whether you’re describing a pet, a wild animal, or a literary character, you have options.

Regional Variations And Related Terms

Different Spanish-speaking regions favor certain rabbit-related words. Knowing these can help you sound more natural when traveling or chatting with speakers from various countries.

1. In Spain, “gazapo” is the go-to word for a young rabbit. You’ll also hear “conejo de monte” for wild rabbit.
2. In Mexico, “conejito” is widely used for bunny, especially as a term of endearment for children.
3. In Argentina, “conejo de Angora” is commonly understood for angora rabbits, and “conejilla” may appear as a feminine form in rural contexts.
4. Cottontail rabbit in biology is simply “conejo de cola blanca” or just “conejo” depending on the species.
5. “Conejillo de Indias” means guinea pig, not a rabbit, but the word “conejillo” shares the root. Don’t confuse them.

Regional differences add richness. If you learn the most common terms for your target dialect, you’ll communicate more effectively.

Using The Word In Context

Beyond basic vocabulary, rabbit appears in several common Spanish phrases and expressions. Learning these helps you understand conversations that involve rabbits literally or metaphorically.

One common phrase is “cazar conejos” (to hunt rabbits). Another is “ser más rápido que un conejo” (to be faster than a rabbit), used for someone who is very speedy. “Hacer conejo” can mean to botch or mess up in some regions.

Per the Cambridge rabbit translation, “conejo” is listed as a masculine singular noun and is used in both literal and figurative expressions. Cambridge provides example sentences that show how the word appears in everyday Spanish.

Using these phrases will make your Spanish sound more idiomatic. The key is to match the term to the context — a biology paper versus a pet store conversation.

The Bottom Line

The Spanish translation for rabbit is “conejo” (masculine) or “coneja” (feminine). Gender matters because Spanish speakers expect it, and using the wrong term can cause confusion. Diminutives like “conejito” and regional words like “gazapo” give you a richer vocabulary.

To practice these distinctions in real conversation, consider working with a native Spanish tutor who can drill gendered nouns and regional slang; a DELE preparation course also covers animal vocabulary with the precision needed for formal exams.