Spanish Conversation · Level 96
60 words
Spanish word
pulga
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈpulɣa/
Meaning
- feminine nounflea
Example
El perro tiene una pulga.
The dog has a flea.
More examples
La picadura de pulga me pica.
The flea bite itches me.
Core concept
Small wingless jumping parasite that bites and lives in animal or human fur or clothing.
Common phrases
picadura de pulga
flea bite
Similar words
piojo: Tiny louse clinging to hair or body hair, sucking blood and causing itching and dandruff.
mosquito: Flying insect that bites to feed on blood, leaving itchy spots and sometimes transmitting disease.
garrapata: Hard-bodied parasite firmly attaching to skin for long blood meals and possibly transmitting disease.
chinche: Small nocturnal bug hiding in bedding and cracks, biting sleepers and leaving itchy marks.
Definition in Spanish
Insecto pequeño y sin alas que vive como parásito en la piel, el pelo o la ropa de animales y personas y provoca picor por sus mordeduras al desplazarse saltando.
Word origin
Derives from Latin pulīca via medieval Romance forms into Spanish and retains the sense of a tiny bloodsucking jumping insect.
Usage tips
- Pulga refers to fleas, whereas piojo means lice, which cling to hair and do not jump.
Related words
- antipulgasflea-controladjective
- pulguientoflea-infestedadjective