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"Ratón" is a noun which is often translated as "mouse", and "rata" is a noun which is often translated as "rat". Learn more about the difference between "ratón" and "rata" below.
el ratón(
rrah
-
tohn
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
1. (animal)
a. mouse
Un ratón se metió a la casa y royó el cable de la televisión.A mouse got in the house and gnawed through the television cable.
2. (computing)
a. mouse
Glen compró un nuevo ratón para usar con los juegos de computadora.Glen bought a new mouse to use for computer gaming.
a. hangover
Ana se quitó el ratón tomando mucha agua.Ana got rid of her hangover by drinking lots of water.
a. bicep
A ver el ratón. Se ve que te gusta entrenar.Let's see your bicep. You can tell you like to work out.
la rata(
rrah
-
tah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
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. (colloquial) (miser)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. cheapskate (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Mi jefe es un rata que no ha aprobado un aumento de salario para nadie en tres años.My boss is a cheapskate who hasn't approved a pay raise for anyone in three years.
b. tightwad (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
¡Esa rata solo me dejó una propina del 5%!That tightwad only gave me a 5% tip!
3. (colloquial) (bad person)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. rat (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
No soporto ese rata de novio que tiene mi compañera de apartamento.I can't stand that rat of a boyfriend my roommate has.
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
4. (colloquial) (miserly)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. stingy
No seas tan rata. Es mi cumpleaños y quiero ir a un buen restaurante.Don't be so stingy. It's my birthday, and I want to go to a good restaurant.
b. cheap (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Es muy rata. Ni un centavo te prestaría.She's really cheap. She wouldn't even lend you a penny.
