English–Spanish

“caterpillar” in Spanish

Spanish

Pronunciation

IPA/oˈɾuɣa/

Example

La oruga come la hoja.

The caterpillar eats the leaf.

Illustration for oruga (caterpillar)

How to say “caterpillar” in Spanish

“Caterpillar” in Spanish is oruga.

Hairy larva that feeds on plant leaves and can damage crops and gardens.

Full entry for oruga: usage tips, similar words and word origin

Example sentences with oruga

La oruga cambió de piel durante la noche.

The caterpillar shed its skin during the night.

Tips for using oruga

  • Oruga refers specifically to insect caterpillars (especially butterfly and moth larvae), while gusano is a broader term for worms and other soft-bodied creatures.

“caterpillar” in other languages