Spanish Conversation · Level 39
74 words
Spanish word
libélula
Pronunciation
IPA/liˈβelula/
Meaning
- feminine noundragonfly
Example
¿Has visto una libélula hoy?
Have you seen a dragonfly today?
More examples
La libélula voló sobre el estanque.
The dragonfly flew over the pond.
Core concept
Slender insect resting on a reed at the water's edge with clear wings.
Common phrases
una libélula
a dragonfly
ver una libélula
see a dragonfly
Similar words
caballito del diablo: Familiar, colloquial nickname commonly used by kids and families for a dragonfly.
Definition in Spanish
Insecto de cuerpo alargado y dos pares de alas translúcidas; sus larvas viven en el agua y los adultos vuelan junto a ríos, estanques y charcas.
Word origin
Borrowed into Spanish from Latin libellula, the diminutive form of libella that was used for this insect in classical texts.
Usage tips
- The noun is feminine (la libélula) and pluralizes to libélulas, so adjectives agree in gender and number (la libélula azul, dos libélulas pequeñas).