"Maullar" is a verb in Spanish that refers specifically to the sound a cat makes, commonly translated as "to meow" in English. It is often used in contexts related to cats' behavior or when describing the actions of cats in general.
Frequency of Use: The term is relatively common in both spoken and written forms, especially when discussing pets or animal behavior. It is used more in oral contexts when people talk about their experiences with cats or animals in general.
Los gatos maullan para comunicarse con sus dueños.
(Cats meow to communicate with their owners.)
Cuando tiene hambre, suele maullar muy fuerte.
(When he is hungry, he usually meows very loudly.)
Escuché a mi gato maullar toda la noche.
(I heard my cat meowing all night.)
While "maullar" itself does not have many idiomatic expressions, it can be part of expressions that refer to situations involving cats or the act of meowing. Here are a few related expressions:
"No es un gato que maúlla, es un león que ruge."
(It's not a meowing cat, it's a roaring lion.)
This expression is used to emphasize the importance or magnitude of a situation that belies its surface appearance.
"Maullar no es suficiente para conseguir lo que deseas."
(Meowing is not enough to get what you want.)
This suggests that just expressing a need or desire isn't enough without taking action.
"El que maúlla, no siempre nace con el puñal."
(The one who meows doesn’t always come with a dagger.)
This implies that those who make the most noise may not necessarily have the power or capability to back it up.
The verb "maullar" originates from the onomatopoeic representation of the sound that cats make. Its roots can be traced back to the Latin "māne," which means "to purr" or "to meow."
Synonyms: - Aullar (to howl - used for larger animals, like wolves)
Antonyms: - Silenciar (to silence - in the sense of stopping a sound, though not a direct opposite)
Overall, "maullar" is a specific and clear verb that highlights an important aspect of cat behavior, enriching the way people describe their interactions with their feline companions.