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"Vacas" is a form of "vacar", an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to cease work". "Caballo" is a noun which is often translated as "horse". Learn more about the difference between "vacas" and "caballo" below.
vacar(
bah
-
kahr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to cease work
La mayoría de los trabajadores asalariados vacan el 25 de diciembre y el 1 de enero.Most salaried workers cease work on December 25th and January 1st.
b. to stop working
Esteban vacó en su cargo en la empresa cuando se accidentó.Esteban stopped working at the company when he had the accident.
a. to fall vacant
Han vacado varios puestos en la escuela porque se jubilaron tres profesoras.Several posts have fallen vacant in our school because three teachers have retired.
b. to become vacant
El cargo de director vacó tras la dimisión del Dr. Tejero.The post of director became vacant after Dr Tejero's resignation.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to dismiss
El ministro fue vacado de su puesto por estar involucrado en el caso de fraude.The minister was dismissed from his post for being implicated in the fraud case.
el caballo(
kah
-
bah
-
yoh
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
2. (chess)
a. knight
El movimiento del caballo es difícil de aprender.It's hard to learn how to move your knight.
6. (carpentry)
a. sawhorse
Pon la madera en el caballo y sujétala bien antes de empezar a serrar.Place the wood on the sawhorse and clamp it securely before starting to saw.
b. sawbuck (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Si no tienes caballo, apoya la tabla sobre una silla para cortarla.If you don't have a sawbuck, place the plank of wood on a chair to cut it.
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
7. (slang) (unintelligent) (Central America) (South America)
A very informal word or phrase used by a particular group or community as a substitute for standard language (e.g., joint, john).
Regionalism used in Central America: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama
Regionalism used in South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela
a. stupid (colloquial)
Es bien caballo ese chavo. - No, no más es muy callado.That kid is really stupid. - No, he's just really quiet.
