Spanish word

insecto

Pronunciation

IPA/inˈsekto/

Meaning

  • masculine nouninsect

Example

No me gustan los insectos en la casa.

I don't like insects in the house.

Illustration for insecto (insect)

More examples

Siempre llevo repelente para insectos cuando voy de camping.

I always take insect repellent when I go camping.

Core concept

Small six-legged arthropod with head, thorax, and abdomen.

Common phrases

  • repelente para insectos

    insect repellent

  • miedo a los insectos

    insect phobia

  • picadura de insecto

    insect bite

Similar words

bicho: Small informal creature or little critter in colloquial speech.
mosca: Small flying insect with two wings that buzzes near food and people.
mosquito: Very small biting fly that sucks blood and leaves itchy bite marks.
cucaracha: Flat brown or dark insect that scurries in homes and hides in cracks.

Definition in Spanish

Animal invertebrado de tamaño generalmente pequeño, con el cuerpo dividido en tres partes (cabeza, tórax y abdomen) y tres pares de patas; incluye hormigas, mariposas y escarabajos.

Word origin

From Latin insectum, the past participle of insecare (in- 'into' + secare 'to cut'), originally describing an animal whose body appears cut into sections.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Spanish bicho or bichito is common for a small bug while insecto sounds more formal or scientific, and plaga is used when referring to an infestation.

Other meanings

  • bugnoun

Related words

  • insecticidainsecticidenoun

Word lists with this word