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"Novillo" is a noun which is often translated as "young bull", and "ternera" is a noun which is often translated as "veal". Learn more about the difference between "novillo" and "ternera" below.
el novillo, la novilla(
noh
-
bee
-
yoh
)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).
a. young bull (masculine)
Paco es un novillero, y solo puede torear novillos de menos de cuatro años.Paco is a novice bullfighter and can only fight young bulls of less than four years of age.
b. bullock (masculine)
En la antigüedad, algunos pueblos sacrificaban novillos como ofrenda a su dios.In ancient times, somel cultures would sacrifice bullocks as an offering to their god.
c. steer (masculine)
Fuimos a un rodeo y vimos a los vaqueros enlazando novillos.We went to a rodeo and saw cowboys lassoing steers.
d. heifer (feminine)
En la finca tenemos una vaca de cuatro años y una novilla de dos años.On our farm we have a four-year-old cow and a one-year-old heifer.
2. (culinary) (Andes) (Dominican Republic) (Mexico)
Regionalism used in the Dominican Republic
Regionalism used in Mexico
a. veal
Ese restaurante hace una rica barbacoa de puerco y novilla.That restaurant makes delicious pork and veal barbecue.
la ternera(
tehr
-
neh
-
rah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (culinary)
a. veal (from a young animal)
Esta es la ternera más tierna que he comido nunca.This is the tenderest veal I've ever had.
b. beef
Nos sirvieron ternera con una salsa de champiñones.We were served beef with a mushroom sauce.
