Spanish Conversation · Level 69
60 words
Spanish word
ornitorrinco
Pronunciation
IPA/oɾnitoˈriŋko/
Meaning
- masculine nounplatypus
Example
¿Has visto alguna vez un ornitorrinco?
Have you ever seen a platypus?
More examples
En Australia vive el ornitorrinco en ríos y arroyos.
In Australia, the platypus lives in rivers and streams.
Core concept
Australian mammal that lays eggs, has fur, and a distinctive ducklike bill.
Similar words
mamífero: Warm-blooded animal with hair or fur that nurses its young with milk.
Definition in Spanish
Mamífero semiacuático de Australia con pico parecido al del pato, cuerpo cubierto de pelaje y reproducción por puesta de huevos.
Word origin
Spanish ornitorrinco comes via the scientific Latin Ornithorhynchus, based on Greek elements for 'bird' and 'snout' describing the creature's appearance.
Usage tips
- In Spanish the animal is normally called ornitorrinco and treated as a regular masculine noun (el ornitorrinco, los ornitorrincos).