Spanish word

mamífero

Pronunciation

IPA/maˈmifeɾo/

Meaning

  • masculine nounmammal

Example

¿Sabías que los humanos son mamíferos?

Did you know that humans are mammals?

Illustration for mamífero (mammal)

More examples

En el zoológico vimos un mamífero terrestre muy grande.

At the zoo we saw a very large terrestrial mammal.

Core concept

Vertebrate that suckles its young with milk from mammary glands.

Common phrases

  • mamífero terrestre

    terrestrial mammal

  • mamífero marino

    marine mammal

Similar words

animal: Member of the animal kingdom, any living creature such as insects, fish, birds, or mammals.
mascota: Tame animal that lives in a household for companionship and is cared for by people.
insecto: Tiny invertebrate with three body regions, six legs, and sometimes wings.

Definition in Spanish

Animal que, siendo vertebrado, cría a sus jóvenes alimentándolos con leche de las glándulas mamarias.

Word origin

Mamífero ultimately traces to Latin mammifer, composed of mamma 'breast' and ferre 'to bear', and entered Spanish with the meaning 'animals that nourish their young with milk'.

Usage tips

  • The noun is masculine, so use el mamífero and los mamíferos and make adjectives agree (el mamífero grande, los mamíferos grandes).

Word lists with this word