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"El" is a form of "el", a definite article which is often translated as "the". "Gato" is a noun which is often translated as "cat". Learn more about the difference between "el" and "gato" below.
el(
ehl
)
A definite article is a word that identifies a noun as specific or known to the speaker (e.g., the girl).
definite article
a. the
El gato está en el tejado.The cat is on the roof.
El teléfono estaba encima de la mesa.The telephone was on top of the table.
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el gato, la gata(
gah
-
toh
)
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
masculine or feminine noun
a. cat
Mi gato maúlla cuando tiene hambre.My cat meows when he is hungry.
2.
An offensive word or phrase used to degrade a person or group of people based on race, gender, sexual preference, etc. (e.g., redneck).
(pejorative)
(personal attendant)
Regionalism used in El Salvador
(El Salvador)
Regionalism used in Mexico
(Mexico)
a. servant
¡No soy tu gato, hazlo tú!I'm not your servant; do it yourself!
b. maid (feminine)
Si quieres café, sírvetelo. No soy tu gata.If you want coffee, get it yourself. I'm not your maid.
3. (nationality)
Regionalism used in Spain
(Spain)
a. person from Madrid
¿Qué sabrá ese de flamenco? Es un gato.What does he know about flamenco? He's from Madrid.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
a. jack
No sé dónde está el gato en este coche.I don't know where the jack is in this car.
5. (game)
Regionalism used in Chile
(Chile)
Regionalism used in Mexico
(Mexico)
a. tic-tac-toe
Regionalism used in the United States
(United States)
Para jugar gato, solo necesitas un lápiz y un papel.To play tic-tac-toe, you just need a pencil and a piece of paper.
b. noughts and crosses
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
(United Kingdom)
Necesitas una estrategia para ganar al gato.You need a strategy to win noughts and crosses.
a. gato
Mi abuelo me enseñó a bailar gato.My grandfather taught me how to dance gato.
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