Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Raven in Spanish: Cuervo
Cuervo · noun · KWER-boh
Cuervo is the Spanish word for raven, a large black bird in the corvid family known for its intelligence. Spanish does not always distinguish between ravens and crows the way English does, so cuervo can cover both unless you specify cuervo grande for the larger species.
Say KWER-boh with a strong stress on the first syllable. The 'v' in Spanish is pronounced like a soft 'b,' so cuervo sounds closer to 'kwer-bo' than 'kwer-vo.'
Un cuervo negro sobrevoló el campo.
A black raven flew over the field.
raven in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for raven, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| cuervo | raven | KWER-boh | Default, widely understood |
| cuervo grande | raven | used to distinguish from smaller crows |
How Native Speakers Use Cuervo
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
nature observation
Los cuervos son aves extremadamente inteligentes que usan herramientas.
Ravens are extremely intelligent birds that use tools.
Cuervo works for general statements about the species.
literary reference
El poema habla de un cuervo misterioso que aparece a medianoche.
The poem speaks of a mysterious raven that appears at midnight.
Literary contexts often evoke the raven's symbolic darkness.
countryside sighting
Vimos un cuervo enorme posado en la cerca del rancho.
We saw an enormous raven perched on the ranch fence.
Adding size descriptors helps clarify you mean raven rather than crow.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Cuervo
confusing cuervo with ciervo
Incorrect: Había un ciervo negro en el tejado.
Correct: Había un cuervo negro en el tejado.
Ciervo means 'deer,' not 'raven' — one vowel change completely alters the animal being described.
gender agreement
Incorrect: La cuervo voló hacia el bosque.
Correct: El cuervo voló hacia el bosque.
Cuervo is a masculine noun and requires the masculine article el, regardless of the bird's biological sex.
Lock in raven Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
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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 sobrevoló el campo. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About raven in Spanish
- Is there a difference between cuervo and corneja in Spanish?
- Corneja specifically refers to the carrion crow, a smaller corvid species, while cuervo is the broader term that covers ravens and is sometimes applied loosely to crows as well. In everyday speech, most people simply say cuervo for any large black corvid.
- Does the tequila brand José Cuervo relate to the bird?
- The surname Cuervo literally means 'raven' in Spanish, so the tequila brand name translates to 'Joseph Raven.' The founding family carried this surname, connecting the brand to the bird etymologically.
- How do I say 'a flock of ravens' in Spanish?
- The phrase una bandada de cuervos is the standard way to describe a group of ravens in flight or gathered together. Bandada is used for flocks of birds generally.