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"Gatear" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to crawl", and "gato" is a noun which is often translated as "cat". Learn more about the difference between "gatear" and "gato" below.
gatear(
gah
-
teh
-
ahr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
1. (to creep)
2. (to go up)
b. to clamber
No puedes gatear por ese árbol. Las ramas son débiles y se quebrarán.You can't clamber up that tree. The branches are weak and will break.
3. (to look for a romantic partner) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. to be on the prowl
En el club, Juan nos dijo que rompió con su novia y que va a gatear esta noche.At the club, Juan told us that he'd broken up with his girlfriend, so he's on the prowl tonight.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
b. to scratch
¿Cómo te hiciste esas marcas en el brazo? - Mi mascota me gateó.How did you get those marks on your arm? - My pet scratched me.
5. (vulgar) (to seduce) (Latin America)
A word or phrase that is crude, indecent, and generally rejected by society.
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. to try to pick up
Te vi tratando de gatear a Dana. ¿La llevaste a tu casa? - No, ni siquiera me dio un beso.I saw you trying to pick up Dana. Did you take her home? - No. She didn't even give me a kiss.
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).
2. (pejorative) (personal attendant) (El Salvador) (Mexico)
An offensive word or phrase used to degrade a person or group of people based on race, gender, sexual preference, etc. (e.g., redneck).
Regionalism used in El Salvador
Regionalism used in Mexico
b. maid (feminine)
Si quieres café, sírvetelo. No soy tu gata.If you want coffee, get it yourself. I'm not your maid.
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).
a. tic-tac-toe (United States)
Regionalism used in the 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 (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Necesitas una estrategia para ganar al gato.You need a strategy to win noughts and crosses.
