Spanish Conversation · Level 152
30 words
Spanish word
alpaca
Pronunciation
IPA/alˈpaka/
Meaning
- feminine nounalpaca
Example
La alpaca vive en los Andes.
The alpaca lives in the Andes.
More examples
Compré un suéter de alpaca porque es muy cálido.
I bought an alpaca sweater because it's very warm.
Core concept
Domesticated Andean camelid with thick, soft fleece.
Common phrases
lana de alpaca
alpaca wool
fibra de alpaca
alpaca fiber
suéter de alpaca
alpaca sweater
Similar words
llama: Large, long-necked Andean camelid used primarily to carry goods and people.
vaca: Farmed cow reared chiefly for milk and meat.
oveja: Sheep kept for their wool, shorn to make yarn and clothing.
Definition in Spanish
Animal doméstico andino de la familia Camelidae, apreciado por su fibra fina y su aspecto tranquilo.
Word origin
The Spanish term comes from the Quechua or Aymara allpaca and refers to both the animal and its fiber.
Usage tips
- In speech la alpaca usually means the animal, while the material is often called fibra de alpaca, so specify fibra when referring to the fleece.