Noun
/patas/
The word "patas" is a colloquial term predominantly used in Costa Rica to refer to the legs or feet of animals, especially those that have four limbs such as dogs, cats, and other quadrupeds.
In a more informal context, it can also refer to human legs, generally in a playful or casual manner. The frequency of use is quite high in everyday conversation but may also appear in informal written contexts, such as social media or casual texts.
The dog hurt its legs playing in the park.
A los gatos les gusta que les acaricien las patas.
Cats like to be petted on their paws.
No puedo correr rápido porque me duelen las patas.
While "patas" is primarily utilized to denote physical limbs, it is also part of some idiomatic expressions in Costa Rica:
Translation: She has crow's feet from laughing so much.
"Echar patas"
(When he saw the dog, he ran away to avoid being bitten.)
"Patas para arriba"
The term "patas" comes from the Latin root pata, which means "paw." It evolved in the Spanish language to encompass the broader meanings it holds today in various regions, particularly in those with rich oral traditions like Costa Rica.
"extremidades" (extremities)
Antonyms:
Overall, "patas" is a versatile word that comfortably bridges informal speech and more casual written forms, particularly prevalent in Central American vernacular, notably Costa Rican usage.