Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Sheep in Spanish: Oveja
Oveja · noun · oh-BEH-hah
Oveja is the standard Spanish word for sheep and is feminine (la oveja). A male sheep or ram is carnero, and a young sheep or lamb is cordero. In Mexico and some Latin American countries, borrego is widely used as a colloquial synonym. The figurative expression oveja negra (black sheep) works in Spanish just as it does in English.
Oveja is pronounced oh-BEH-hah. The 'v' is pronounced like a soft 'b,' and the 'j' makes an aspirated 'h' sound, as is standard in Spanish.
Las ovejas pastan tranquilamente en la pradera.
The sheep graze peacefully in the meadow.
Sheep in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for sheep, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| oveja | sheep | oh-BEH-hah | Default, widely understood |
| carnero | sheep | ram / male sheep | |
| cordero | sheep | lamb / young sheep | |
| borrego/borrega | sheep | Mexico and parts of Latin America |
How Native Speakers Use Oveja
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Farm animals
El pastor cuida un rebaño de cien ovejas.
The shepherd looks after a flock of one hundred sheep.
Rebaño is the word for a flock or herd of sheep.
Figurative expression
Siempre fue la oveja negra de la familia.
He was always the black sheep of the family.
Oveja negra is used figuratively in Spanish just like in English, meaning the odd one out or the family rebel.
Lamb as food
Pedimos cordero asado para la cena de Navidad.
We ordered roast lamb for Christmas dinner.
Cordero refers to a young sheep and is also the standard culinary term for lamb meat.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Oveja
Using carnero for sheep in general
Incorrect: Hay muchos carneros en el campo.
Correct: Hay muchas ovejas en el campo.
Carnero specifically means a male sheep or ram. The generic or default term for sheep is oveja.
Wrong gender article
Incorrect: El oveja está en el corral.
Correct: La oveja está en el corral.
Oveja is a feminine noun and requires the feminine article la, even when referring to a male animal generically.
Lock in Sheep Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
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See Oveja used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using oveja in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Las ovejas pastan tranquilamente en la pradera. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About Sheep in Spanish
- What is the difference between oveja, carnero, and cordero?
- Oveja is the general term for sheep (and also means a female sheep). Carnero is a ram or male sheep. Cordero is a lamb, a young sheep, and also the word for lamb meat in cooking.
- Is borrego the same as oveja?
- Borrego is a colloquial synonym for sheep used primarily in Mexico and some parts of Latin America. It can also carry a figurative meaning of someone who blindly follows others.
- How do you say 'flock of sheep' in Spanish?
- A flock of sheep is rebaño de ovejas. The word rebaño can refer to a herd or flock of various livestock, but it is most commonly associated with sheep.