How Do You Say Rat in Spanish (Rata)

November 4, 2025 - By Michel Stova

When I first learned that the Spanish word for rat is “rata”, I was in a small town in Spain. I saw a street mural with the phrase “Hasta la última rata.” Curious, I asked what it meant. The shopkeeper laughed and said, “Until the last rat — it means we’ll fight to the end!”

That’s when I realized that even a tiny word like rata carries enormous cultural weight. Across the world, the rat is more than just an animal — it’s a symbol of survival, intelligence, and sometimes, mischief.

In Spanish and beyond, the way people talk about rats reveals deep cultural stories about nature, morality, and human life. Let’s explore how “rat” is said in different languages — and what it means in each.

🗺️ Table of Translations for “Rat” Around the World

Language	Word for “Rat”	Cultural or Linguistic Insight
Spanish	Rata	Often used both literally and metaphorically (can also mean a “stingy” or “sneaky” person).
English	Rat	Used as both an animal and an insult (to betray someone).
French	Rat	Same spelling as English; associated with cleverness and resourcefulness.
Italian	Ratto	Can refer to the animal or a historical event (“Il ratto di Proserpina”).
German	Ratte	Neutral meaning; also used in idioms about caution.
Portuguese	Rato	Refers to the animal; sometimes used affectionately for small pets.
Mandarin (Chinese)	Lǎoshǔ (老鼠)	Symbol of the Chinese zodiac — intelligence and prosperity.
Hindi (India)	Chūhā (चूहा)	Often linked to the god Ganesha’s vehicle, symbolizing humility.
Arabic	Fa’r (فأر)	Mentioned in fables and proverbs symbolizing quick thinking.
Swahili	Panya	Refers to a small rodent but also used metaphorically for sly people.
Japanese	Nezumi (ねずみ)	Respected for its cleverness; also a zodiac symbol.
Zulu	Igundane	Seen as mischievous, appearing in moral stories.
Maori	Kiore	A native Polynesian rat; part of traditional legends.
Greek	Pontikí (ποντίκι)	Refers to both rats and mice; used in idioms about curiosity.
Turkish	Sıçan	Used both literally and as a metaphor for cowardice.

🇪🇸 How Do You Say Rat in Spanish?

The word for rat in Spanish is “rata.”
Pronounced rah-tah, it refers to the rodent itself — but also carries several idiomatic meanings.

In Spain and Latin America, calling someone a “rata” can mean they’re stingy or untrustworthy — similar to English phrases like “dirty rat” or “rat someone out.”

However, not all uses are negative. In children’s stories and popular culture, la rata is sometimes portrayed as clever or street-smart — the survivor who outwits the odds.

Example sentences:

Vi una rata en la calle. → I saw a rat on the street.
No seas rata. → Don’t be stingy!

🇪🇺 How to Say Rat in European Languages

Europe’s languages reveal a fascinating mix of respect and disgust toward this small creature.

French — Rat: In Paris, rats are both pests and symbols of resilience (think Ratatouille).
Italian — Ratto: Beyond the animal, it also means “abduction” in older Italian texts.
German — Ratte: Often used in idioms like Rattenfänger (“rat catcher”), from old folklore.
Greek — Pontikí: Associated with curiosity and stealth.
Polish — Szczur: Symbol of endurance; appears in proverbs about persistence.
Portuguese — Rato: Can even be affectionate, like “meu ratinho” (my little mouse).

In Europe, rats are seen as survivors — creatures that adapt and thrive against the odds, much like humans throughout history.

🌏 How to Say Rat in Asian Languages

Asia’s languages and traditions show the rat as a symbol of intelligence and prosperity rather than disgust.

Chinese — Lǎoshǔ (老鼠): First in the Chinese zodiac; represents wit and fertility.
Japanese — Nezumi (ねずみ): A symbol of cleverness and adaptability; featured in ancient folktales.
Hindi — Chūhā (चूहा): The mouse or rat is sacred as Ganesha’s vehicle, a symbol of humility.
Arabic — Fa’r (فأر): Appears in proverbs about alertness and clever survival.
Thai — Nūa: Sometimes seen as sneaky, sometimes playful in children’s stories.
Korean — Jwi (쥐): Represents cleverness in the lunar zodiac.
Vietnamese — Chuột: Commonly appears in folk stories as a trickster or survivor.
Turkish — Sıçan: Used both literally and figuratively; “as fast as a rat” describes agility.

The rat in Asia is rarely just an animal — it’s a symbol of luck, wisdom, and survival.

🌍 How to Say Rat in African Languages

Africa’s many languages reveal deep respect for the balance between humans and nature.

Swahili — Panya: Used for rats and mice; also means “thief” in some idioms.
Zulu — Igundane: Appears in stories as a mischievous trickster.
Yoruba — Eku: Refers to rodents; part of traditional fables.
Amharic — Ayit: The word for rat or small rodent; appears in proverbs about greed.
Hausa — Beran: Refers to a large rat; used metaphorically for persistence.
Shona — Gonzo: Associated with stealth and patience.
Somali — Jiir: Sometimes used to describe sneaky but smart behavior.
Akan (Ghana) — Akura: Symbol of cleverness and night energy.
Wolof — Sangu: Appears in animal tales with moral lessons.

In many African cultures, the rat embodies resourcefulness — living quietly, surviving wisely.

🌺 How to Say Rat in Indigenous & Island Languages

In indigenous and island societies, the rat often appears as a creature of balance — both sacred and mischievous.

Hawaiian — ʻIole: Represents adaptability; seen as a native species.
Maori — Kiore: Central to Polynesian myths; the first animal to accompany voyagers.
Samoan — Isumu: Found in fables about sharing and greed.
Cherokee — Ahyo: Symbol of small but cunning spirit.
Fijian — Kasa: Appears in agricultural stories about crops and abundance.
Tahitian — Iore: Represents endurance and survival.
Inuit — Jiigaq: Small, quick, and clever — admired for agility.
Tagalog — Daga: Used for both rat and mouse; common in Filipino folk sayings.
Haitian Creole — Rat: Same as French, reflecting colonial influence.
Guaraní — Kure’ỹ: Symbolizes cleverness and persistence.

💬 Cultural Insights: The Rat’s Role in Human History

From temples in India to urban alleys in Paris, rats have lived beside us for millennia.
They’ve been both feared and revered — spreading disease, yes, but also inspiring survival myths, fables, and zodiac systems.

In the Chinese zodiac, those born in the Year of the Rat are quick-minded, strategic, and charming.
In Europe, the Pied Piper of Hamelin story turned the rat into a symbol of caution and consequence.
In Latin America, “rata” became a slang word for cleverness and betrayal — two sides of the same coin.

The rat teaches us that intelligence, adaptability, and persistence can be both virtues and vices — depending on how we use them.

🌸 Proverbs and Sayings About Rats Around the World

Spanish: “Hasta la última rata.” — “Until the last rat” (fight until the end).
Chinese: “A cunning rat has three holes.” (Always prepared for escape.)
African Proverb: “The rat cannot smell what is in the cat’s mouth.” (Know your limits.)
English: “Smell a rat.” (Suspect something wrong.)
Arabic: “Even the rat has its wisdom.”
Indian Saying: “Where the rat enters, so does prosperity.”

Every proverb shows how this little creature mirrors human nature — clever, cautious, and adaptable.

❓ FAQs

Q1: How do you say rat in Spanish?
The Spanish word for rat is “rata” (pronounced rah-tah).

Q2: What does “rata” mean in Spanish slang?
It can describe a stingy or dishonest person — similar to calling someone a “rat” in English.

Q3: Is the rat a positive or negative symbol?
Depends on the culture — in Asia, it’s lucky and clever; in Europe and America, it’s often seen as sneaky.

Q4: What’s the difference between “rata” and “ratón”?
In Spanish, “rata” means rat (larger), while “ratón” means mouse (smaller).

Q5: Why do languages use the rat in idioms?
Because rats are familiar, intelligent, and symbolic of survival — qualities that reflect human behavior.

❤️ Conclusion: A Tiny Creature, a Big Connection

Whether you say “rata” in Spanish, “lǎoshǔ” in Chinese, or “panya” in Swahili — every language gives this small animal a unique story.

Learning how to say rat in Spanish opens more than a vocabulary door — it opens a window into how humans see cleverness, greed, and resilience across cultures.

🐭 Now it’s your turn:
How do you say “rat” in your language? Share it in the comments and tell us what it means in your culture — let’s discover how this tiny word connects us all.