Spanish · Nature, Animals & Weather
"Bear" in Spanish: oso
el oso
A bear is el oso (OH-soh). It is masculine: un oso, los osos. A female bear is la osa.
How to pronounce oso: audio and sound guideAt the zoo
El oso duerme en la sombra.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce oso
Say it
OH-soh
/ˈo.so/
OH-soh. Stress OH. Soft s. Keep oso to two short beats.
"Bear" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| el oso | the bear Male or generic bear. | Male or generic bear. |
| la osa | the female bear Female bear. | Female bear. |
| los osos | the bears Plural. | Plural. |
| el oso polar | the polar bear Species name. | Species name. |
How to use oso in real life
- 1At the zoo
El oso duerme en la sombra.
The bear sleeps in the shade.
El oso as subject.
- 2Nature talk
Vi un oso en el documental.
I saw a bear in the documentary.
Un oso for one animal.
- 3Kids pointing
La osa cuida a sus crías.
The female bear cares for her cubs.
Osa is the female form.
Mistakes English speakers make with oso
Incorrect: La oso come pescado.
Correct: El oso come pescado.
Oso is masculine. Use el oso. Osa is female.
Incorrect: Hay dos osas macho.
Correct: Hay dos osos.
Use osos for males or a mixed pair.
Good to know
Good to knowOso is short and common in zoo Spanish. Latin America also talks about el oso de anteojos in the Andes. Use osa for a female bear.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
At the bear enclosure
ChatPal
¿Ves al oso marrón?
Do you see the brown bear?
You
Sí. El oso es enorme.
Yes. The bear is huge.
ChatPal
Come fruta ahora.
It's eating fruit now.
You
Qué fuerte se ve.
How strong it looks.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Bear" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Bear" in Spanish
Is oso masculine or feminine?
Masculine: el oso. A female is la osa.
How do you pronounce oso?
OH-soh with stress on OH.
What is an Andean bear called?
Often el oso de anteojos.
How do I say bears in the plural?
Los osos.
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