Spanish word

lagartija

Pronunciation

IPA/laɣaɾˈtixa/

Meaning

  • feminine nounlizard

Example

Hay una lagartija en la pared.

There is a lizard on the wall.

Illustration for lagartija (lizard)

More examples

¿Has visto una lagartija común en el jardín?

Have you seen a common lizard in the garden?

Core concept

Small slender garden lizard with a detachable tail.

Common phrases

  • ver una lagartija

    see a lizard

  • lagartija común

    common lizard

Similar words

lagarto: Big robust lizard with a thick body and muscular limbs.
salamanquesa: Tiny climber lizard that scales walls and ceilings using adhesive toe pads.
reptil: Scaly, cold-blooded vertebrate of the reptile class.
serpiente: Legless, elongated reptile that moves by bending its body in waves.

Definition in Spanish

Reptil pequeño de cuerpo alargado y patas cortas, con frecuencia visto en paredes, muros y jardines; su cola puede desprenderse.

Word origin

The word derives from Spanish lagarto (from Latin lacerta 'lizard') plus the diminutive suffix -ija to denote a smaller lizard.

Usage tips

  • In everyday speech lagartija names common wall or garden lizards while salamanquesa usually refers to geckos with sticky toes, and the phrase hacer lagartijas means to do push-ups.

Other meanings

  • push-upnoun

Word lists with this word