Spanish Conversation · Level 119
60 words
Spanish word
criatura
Pronunciation
IPA/kɾjaˈtuɾa/
Meaning
- feminine nouncreature
Example
Vi una criatura en el jardín.
I saw a creature in the garden.
More examples
La pobre criatura no sabía a dónde ir.
The poor creature did not know where to go.
Core concept
A small living being, especially a child or an animal offspring.
Common phrases
pequeña criatura
little creature
pobre criatura
poor creature
esa criatura
that creature
Similar words
bebé: Human infant recently born.
cría: Young animal still dependent on its parents.
bicho: Small insect or odd little creature, used informally.
animal: Living, moving creature or beast.
Definition in Spanish
Se usa para un ser vivo, especialmente joven o de tamaño pequeño; en lenguaje coloquial o literario también se aplica a niños, a crías de animales o a seres fantásticos.
Word origin
The word comes from Latin creatura (from creare 'to create'), meaning 'that which is created', and later comes to refer to young or small life forms.
Usage tips
- The noun is grammatically feminine (la criatura) even when it refers to a boy or a male animal.