Spanish word

armadillo

Pronunciation

IPA/aɾmaˈðiʝo/

Meaning

  • masculine nounarmadillo

Example

¿Has visto un armadillo?

Have you seen an armadillo?

Illustration for armadillo (armadillo)

More examples

Ayer vi un armadillo en la carretera.

Yesterday I saw an armadillo on the road.

Core concept

Small American mammal with a shell of hard plates that protects it when it rolls up.

Common phrases

  • ver un armadillo

    see an armadillo

  • un armadillo en la carretera

    an armadillo on the road

Definition in Spanish

Pequeño mamífero terrestre con un caparazón formado por placas duras, frecuente en regiones americanas y capaz de esconderse enrollándose.

Word origin

Spanish armadillo is armado 'armored' plus the diminutive -illo, conveying 'little armored one' and tracing back to Latin arma 'arms' or armatus 'armed'.

Usage tips

  • Common in nature talk, the word keeps English spelling but follows Spanish grammar (el armadillo, los armadillos), so the article and context show it is Spanish.

Word lists with this word