Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Crow in Spanish
Cuervo · noun · KWEHR-boh
A crow is called 'cuervo' in Spanish, a widely recognized bird known for its intelligence and distinctive black plumage.
KWEHR-boh
Un cuervo negro se posó en la rama del árbol.
A black crow perched on the tree branch.
Crow in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for crow, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| cuervo | crow | KWEHR-boh | Default, widely understood |
| corneja | crow | Spain (carrion crow specifically) | |
| grajo | crow | Spain (rook, sometimes confused with crow) |
How Native Speakers Use Cuervo
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Spotting wildlife
Hay un grupo de cuervos en el campo de maíz.
There is a group of crows in the cornfield.
Noticing birds while walking through a rural area.
Describing intelligence
Los cuervos son unas de las aves más inteligentes del mundo.
Crows are some of the most intelligent birds in the world.
Sharing an interesting fact about animal cognition.
Literature reference
En muchas culturas, el cuervo simboliza el misterio y la astucia.
In many cultures, the crow symbolizes mystery and cunning.
Discussing symbolism in literature or folklore.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Cuervo
Confusing cuervo with cuerpo
Incorrect: Vi un cuerpo volando sobre el tejado.
Correct: Vi un cuervo volando sobre el tejado.
'Cuerpo' means 'body,' not 'crow.' The words look similar but have entirely different meanings. 'Cuervo' (crow) ends in -vo, while 'cuerpo' (body) ends in -po.
Using grajo as a general synonym
Incorrect: Los grajos están por todas partes en América Latina.
Correct: Los cuervos están por todas partes en América Latina.
'Grajo' specifically refers to a rook (a different corvid species) and is mainly used in Spain. 'Cuervo' is the correct general term for a crow across all Spanish-speaking regions.
Lock in Crow Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Cuervo used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using cuervo in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Un cuervo negro se posó en la rama del árbol. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Crow in Spanish
- Is 'cuervo' also used for ravens?
- Yes, in common Spanish usage, 'cuervo' can refer to both crows and ravens, since both belong to the corvid family. To be more specific, a raven can be called 'cuervo grande' or 'cuervo común' (Corvus corax), while a crow may be specified as 'corneja' in Spain.
- What is the difference between 'cuervo,' 'corneja,' and 'grajo'?
- 'Cuervo' is the general term for crows and ravens. 'Corneja' refers specifically to the carrion crow (Corvus corone) and is used mainly in Spain. 'Grajo' refers to the rook (Corvus frugilegus), also primarily a Spanish term. In Latin America, 'cuervo' covers all these birds.
- Does the tequila brand José Cuervo relate to the word for crow?
- Yes, 'Cuervo' is the Spanish surname of the founding family, and the word itself means 'crow' or 'raven.' The brand's logo features a crow, directly referencing the family name and its meaning.