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"sheep" in seven languages

Meaningsheep

Spanish

oveja

/oˈbexa/

fem.other source · Latin OVICULAM, diminutive of OVIS 'sheep'

French

mouton

/mutɔ̃/

masc.other source · Gaulish *multo- 'wether'

The ewe is brebis, from Latin VERVĒCEM 'wether'.

Italian

pecora

/ˈpɛkora/

fem.other source · Latin PECORA, plural of PECUS 'livestock'

Portuguese

ovelha

/oˈveʎɐ/

fem.other source · Latin OVICULAM, diminutive of OVIS 'sheep'

Romanian

oaie

/ˈo̯aje/

fem.other source · Latin OVEM 'sheep'

plural: oi

Catalan

ovella

/uˈbeʎə/

fem.other source · Latin OVICULAM, diminutive of OVIS 'sheep'

English

sheep

/ʃip/

native English · Old English scēap

plural: sheep

English → ItaliansheeppecoraNot relatedDifferent sources — learn this one fresh. But English has relatives: ovine (OVIS); mutton (from French); pecuniary (PECŪNIA, from PECUS).What English and Italian share

The story

Three unrelated words: Spanish a 'little sheep' (with the C'L → j of ojo), French a Celtic word that gave English mutton, Italian Latin's word for the whole flock.

English relatives: ovine (OVIS); mutton (from French); pecuniary (PECŪNIA, from PECUS)

Sound laws at work

C'L inside a word

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In a sentence

  • esEl pastor cuenta sus ovejas.
  • frLe berger compte ses moutons.
  • itIl pastore conta le sue pecore.
  • ptO pastor conta as ovelhas.
  • roCiobanul își numără oile.
  • caEl pastor compta les ovelles.
  • enThe shepherd counts his sheep.

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