Spanish word

avispa

Pronunciation

IPA/aˈβispa/

Meaning

  • feminine nounwasp

Example

¿Has visto una avispa en el jardín?

Have you seen a wasp in the garden?

Illustration for avispa (wasp)

More examples

¿Sabes cómo tratar la picadura de una avispa?

Do you know how to treat a wasp sting?

Core concept

Narrow-bodied insect with alternating black and yellow bands and a pointed sting.

Common phrases

  • picadura de avispa

    wasp sting

  • nido de avispas

    wasp nest

Similar words

abeja: Small, fuzzy-bodied insect that collects nectar and pollen and commonly pollinates flowers.
avispón: Large, heavy-bodied hornet with a powerful, painful sting.
abejorro: Furry, stout insect with a low buzzing flight that visits flowers for nectar.

Definition in Spanish

Insecto de cuerpo delgado con bandas negras y amarillas que puede picar a las personas y se diferencia de la abeja.

Word origin

The word derives from Latin vespa and reached modern Spanish through regular Romance sound changes reflected in Old Spanish.

Usage tips

  • Everyday speech distinguishes avispa from abeja (bee) and uses avispón for larger, hornet-like species.

Related words

  • avispadoquick-wittedadjective
  • avisperowasps' nestnoun

Word lists with this word