zorra (spanish) - meaning, definition, translation, pronunciation

Part of Speech

Noun

Phonetic Transcription

/zor.a/

Translation Options into English

1. Fox (the animal)
2. A term for a cunning or sly person
3. An informal and often derogatory term for a promiscuous woman

Meaning and Usage

The word "zorra" is primarily used to refer to a female fox in Spanish. It can also describe someone who is clever or cunning, often in a way that implies deceitfulness. In colloquial usage, it is frequently employed as a derogatory term for a woman viewed as promiscuous.

The frequency of "zorra" in everyday language can vary; it is more commonly encountered in oral speech, especially in colloquial contexts. In written form, it is often seen in literature or discussions regarding animal behavior or societal norms.

Example Sentences

1. La zorra cruzó la carretera rápidamente.
   The fox crossed the street quickly.

2. No confío en ella, siempre actúa como una zorra.
   I don’t trust her, she always acts like a sly person.

3. Esa chica es una zorra; siempre está hablando de sus amoríos.
   That girl is a promiscuous one; she is always talking about her affairs.

Idiomatic Expressions

The word "zorra" appears in several idiomatic expressions in Spanish:

1. Hacer la zorra
   To act cunningly or deceitfully
   Ella siempre hace la zorra cuando está en problemas.
   She always acts cunningly when she's in trouble.

2. Zorra entre las zorra
   Referring to a woman who's as crafty as they come
   En el mundo de los negocios, ella es la zorra entre las zorra.
   In the business world, she is the craftiest of them all.

3. Mirar a alguien como si fuera una zorra
   To look at someone with suspicion or disdain
   Me miró como si fuera una zorra después de que revelé el secreto.
   She looked at me as if I were sly after I revealed the secret.

4. Ser más astuto que una zorra
   To be more cunning than a fox
   Siempre ha sido más astuto que una zorra en los negocios.
   He has always been more cunning than a fox in business.

Etymology

The term "zorra" has its roots in Latin "vulpes," which means fox. It evolved in Old Spanish to its modern usage today. The derogatory applications of the term as related to promiscuity likely arose from the association of cunning and slyness attributed to the fox in various cultures.

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms:
- Fox (the animal: "raposa" or "zorro" for male)
- Cunning person: "astuto," "sagaz"
- Promiscuous woman: "libertina," "deshonesta"

Antonyms:
- Honest person: "honesto," "recto"
- Straightforward individual: "sincero," "franco"