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"Pato" is a noun which is often translated as "duck", and "tortuga" is a noun which is often translated as "turtle". Learn more about the difference between "pato" and "tortuga" below.
el pato, la pata(
pah
-
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).
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
2. (culinary)
a. duck
El chef preparó su famoso pato con salsa de mango.The chef made his famous duck in mango sauce.
3. (receptacle) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. bedpan
Los pacientes del hospital que no pueden pararse tienen que usar un pato.Hospital patients who cannot stand must use a bedpan.
4. (colloquial) (tedious thing)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. drag (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
La fiesta se convirtió en un auténtico pato cuando empezó a llover.The party became a real drag once it started raining.
b. bore
Hoy ha sido un pato total en la tienda porque no ha entrado un solo cliente.Today has been a total bore at the shop because we haven't had a single customer.
5. (clumsy oaf)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Soy un pato bailando.I have two left feet when it comes to dancing.
La camarera es un pato; la hemos visto tirar tres platos ya.The waitress is really clumsy; we've already seen her drop three dishes.
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
6. (colloquial) (without money) (Southern Cone)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. broke (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Me quedé pato después de mis vacaciones en Nueva York.I was broke after my vacation in New York.
la tortuga(
tohr
-
too
-
gah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (reptile)
a. turtle
Algunas tortugas pueden vivir cientos de años.Some turtles can live over hundreds of years.
Hay diferentes tipos de tortugas en el océano.There are different kinds of turtles in the ocean.
2. (colloquial) (slow person)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. slowpoke (colloquial) (United States)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United States
Odio ir de compras con el abuelo, ¡es una tortuga!I hate shopping with grandpa. He's such a slowpoke!
b. slowcoach (colloquial) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
¡Venga! ¡No seas una tortuga!Come on! Don't be a slowcoach!
