gallinas: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowRare/Technical/Loanword Contexts
Quick answer
What does “gallinas” mean?
Female chickens kept for egg-laying or meat, especially domesticated poultry.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Female chickens kept for egg-laying or meat, especially domesticated poultry.
1) In extended use, timid or cowardly people (derived metaphorically from chicken/hen behaviour). 2) In some game contexts (e.g., wrestling), weak or feeble opponents. 3) In informal Spanish contexts (the word is Spanish), it literally means 'hens'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Virtually no differences in usage, as the word is rare in both dialects. In agricultural/technical contexts, both prefer 'hens' or 'laying hens'. American English might encounter 'gallina' (singular) slightly more in Southwestern culinary contexts (e.g., gallina pinta soup).
Connotations
Neutral and literal in both dialects when used. The Spanish origin is recognized, so it can evoke a Spanish-speaking context.
Frequency
Equally rare in both. Slightly higher potential frequency in areas with strong Hispanic cultural influence (SW USA, parts of Florida).
Grammar
How to Use “gallinas” in a Sentence
Noun (plural): The + gallinas + verb (The gallinas are clucking).Noun (plural): Adjective + gallinas (domesticated gallinas).Possessive: gallinas + of + noun (the gallinas of the farm).Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used rarely, only in international poultry trade or specific import/export documents referring to Spanish-speaking suppliers.
Academic
Appears in zoological, agricultural, or linguistic papers discussing Spanish species or loanwords.
Everyday
Almost never used in everyday English. Would only be used when directly quoting Spanish, describing a Spanish scene, or in very specific food contexts (e.g., ordering a dish named 'Gallina al Ajillo').
Technical
Used in scientific nomenclature (e.g., Gallus gallus domesticus - the domestic chicken) and in agricultural texts about Spanish breeds.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gallinas”
- Using 'gallinas' in general English conversation. (Incorrect: 'I saw some gallinas on the farm.' Correct: 'I saw some hens on the farm.')
- Treating it as a singular noun in English. It is inherently plural. (Incorrect: 'a gallina'. Correct: 'a hen' or 'the gallinas').
- Mispronouncing it with a hard 'g' as in 'goat'. The Spanish 'g' is softer, like in 'get'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a Spanish loanword that appears in English texts, primarily when discussing Spanish-language contexts, zoology, or cuisine. It is not a standard English word for general use.
The singular is 'gallina'. However, in English, if you need the singular, it is usually better to use the English word 'hen' unless you are specifically referring to the Spanish term.
Only indirectly. The Spanish metaphor exists (like 'chicken' in English), but in an English sentence, 'They are such gallinas' would be confusing. Use 'chickens' or 'cowards' instead.
The most accepted Anglicized pronunciation is /ɡaˈjiːnəs/ (ga-YEE-nuhs), approximating the Spanish. A more Spanish pronunciation is /ɡaˈʎinas/ (ga-LLEE-nas), with a palatal 'll' sound.
Female chickens kept for egg-laying or meat, especially domesticated poultry.
Gallinas is usually rare/technical/loanword contexts in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “"No seas gallina" (Spanish: Don't be a chicken) - sometimes borrowed in English context.”
- “"Gallina ciega" (Spanish: Blind hen) - refers to the game 'blind man's buff'.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Galloping hens' are silly, but 'Gallina' sounds like 'ga-LEE-na' – a lady (LEE-na) chicken.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOURCE DOMAIN: Farm Animals / TARGET DOMAIN: Timidity, Nurturing (when broody), Provision (egg-laying). The metaphor 'chicken' for cowardice is primary, but 'gallinas' inherits it only when the Spanish metaphor is directly invoked.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the English use of the word 'gallinas' MOST appropriate?