Mascotas en coloquial: mimoso, trasto, pillo, enano

Four colloquial adjectives to talk about your pet. We explain uses + nuances (with help in English). Then you’ll do a mini‑quiz.

trasto (joking / playful) = revoltoso, travieso. Used for children or pets that make a mess: “Mi perro es un trasto”. Affectionate tone, not an insult.

pillo (“sneaky / a little rascal”): travieso pero listo. Ej.: “El hurón es un pillo: roba calcetines”. Usually sounds cute/friendly.

enano/a (“little one, tiny one”): affectionate way to say it’s small. “Ven aquí, enano”. Careful: with people it can be sensitive. With pets it sounds sweet.

mimoso/a (“cuddly, affectionate”): loves physical contact. Useful verbs: dar mimos, achuchar. “Mi gato es muy mimoso: pide caricias todo el rato”.

In Spain you’ll hear for naughty pets: “mi perro es un trasto” or “mi gato es un pillo” (very colloquial and affectionate).

For physical affection: “dar mimos”, “achuchar”; for cute small size: “enano” (affectionate). Colloquial, family/friends use.

Register tip: all of these are very colloquial; perfect with friends, family or on social media. With strangers or at work, better to use neutral language.

Ready for the mini‑quiz: choose the most natural adjective for each situation with your pet.