Once in a while the translator can't help

Question

Hope this doesn't run afoul of the good language rule but I don't know where else to find an answer. The translator doesn't seem to fit but the native speakers will know.

We are trying to convey the concept that our cat cannot be let out of the house because she is in heat.

The translator isn't up to that one. So how do you native speakers say the cat (or any animal) is in heat or in season or estrus?

Thanks.

Just for the heck of it, I plugged that into the google translator and got this - el gato está en celo ... :) - NikkiLR, Dec 27, 2010

Answer 1

en celo

Del DRAE:

Celo

4). m. En los irracionales, apetito de la generación.

5). m. Época en que los animales sienten este apetito.

6). m. Período del ciclo menstrual de la mujer en que se produce la ovulación.

Real Academia Española © Todos los derechos reservados

You might also find this wikipedia article helpful: Estro

Thanks! - ocbizlaw, Dec 27, 2010

This is said so delicately and poetically. I'm newly in love with Spanish. - JoyceM, Dec 27, 2010

Answer 2

In Colombia: en celo.

Alex

Answer 3

What country or region do they use alunado vs. celo if it's not too much trouble?

Again from the DRAE:

Alunado

4). adj. Hond. y Nic. Dicho de un animal: Que está en celo.

Real Academia Española © Todos los derechos reservados

I'm really wondering if they use it in Mexico or SW EE.UU. - ocbizlaw, Dec 27, 2010

I couldn't tell you difinitively, but it is not listed in the Dictionario Breve de Mexicanismos: http://www.academia.org.mx/dicmex.php - Izanoni1, Dec 27, 2010

Answer 4

la gata está en celo y no puede salir fuera de la casa

""en celo"" se usa en México

Answer 5

The proper translation for 'in heat' is (alunado or en celo) but mostly we use 'alunado'.

Where is "we"? Your profile doesn't identify the region your Spanish originates. - pesta, Dec 27, 2010

Answer 6

The region that used 'alunada' or 'en celo' is in South America, to be more specific (Ecuador).

(e.g. La gata está alunada por ende no puede salir de la casa)

Answer 7

What country or region do they use alunado vs. celo if it's not too much trouble?