ronronear means to purr — a common term in Funny Words. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.
📅 Published: August 5, 2025
ronronear
verb • /[ron-ro-neh-AR]/
to purr
Example:
El gato ronronea cuando recibe cariño.
The cat purrs when it gets affection.
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Lael: Spanish Word of the Day
🧠 What does ronronear mean?
Ronronear means 'to purr,' the low, rumbling sound a cat (or other feline) makes when it's happy or content. Think of that soft, vibrating hum they produce when you're petting them. It's a very expressive sound!
📚 Extra examples
- Mi gato ronronea cuando le acaricio la barriga.
My cat purrs when I rub its belly. - El gatito ronroneaba dormido en mis brazos.
The kitten was purring asleep in my arms. - Oí al león ronronear suavemente en el zoológico.
I heard the lion purring softly at the zoo.
❓ FAQ
How do you say 'to purr' in Spanish?
The Spanish word for 'to purr' is 'ronronear'.
How do you pronounce 'ronronear' in Spanish?
It's pronounced rohn-roh-neh-AHR, with the stress on the last syllable.
How do you use 'ronronear' in a sentence?
Here are some examples: 'El gato está ronroneando' (The cat is purring), or 'El león ronroneó cuando lo alimentaron' (The lion purred when they fed it).
What is the English translation of 'ronronear'?
'Ronronear' translates to 'to purr' in English.
Does 'ronronear' change for gender or number?
Yes, like other verbs in Spanish, 'ronronear' conjugates to agree with the subject. For instance, 'yo ronroneo' (I purr), 'él ronronea' (he purrs), 'ellos ronronean' (they purr).
Is 'ronronear' common in everyday Spanish?
While not as common as some basic verbs, 'ronronear' is readily understood and used when talking about cats or other felines.
Does 'ronronear' have slang or double meanings?
Not really. It's generally used in its literal sense of purring. However, it could be used figuratively to describe someone expressing contentment in a quiet way, though this would be less common.
Is 'ronronear' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
No, the meaning and usage of 'ronronear' are consistent across both Spain and Latin America.
How do you conjugate 'ronronear' in Spanish?
Here's the present tense: Yo ronroneo, Tú ronroneas, Él/Ella/Usted ronronea, Nosotros/Nosotras ronroneamos, Vosotros/Vosotras ronroneáis, Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes ronronean. Other tenses follow regular -ar verb conjugation patterns.
🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "ronronear"
Synonyms: maullar suavemente, murmurar (figurative)
💡 Did You Know?
The frequency of a cat's purr is thought to promote healing!
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