Spanish Conversation · Level 103
60 words
Spanish word
ruiseñor
Pronunciation
IPA/rwiseˈɲoɾ/
Meaning
- masculine nounnightingale
Example
Anoche escuché a un ruiseñor.
Last night I heard a nightingale.
More examples
Por la mañana, un ruiseñor cantó junto al balcón.
In the morning, a nightingale sang beside the balcony.
Core concept
A small songbird heard singing at night.
Common phrases
cantar como un ruiseñor
sing like a nightingale
el canto del ruiseñor
the nightingale's song
Similar words
pájaro: Small winged animal that flies through the air.
ave: Feathered, winged animal with a beak that flies.
canario: Small bright songbird with a clear, cheerful voice often kept as a pet.
gorrión: Small brown bird commonly seen in towns and gardens, often hopping on the ground.
Definition in Spanish
Pájaro pequeño conocido por su canto melodioso que suele escucharse durante la noche.
Word origin
From Latin luscinia through medieval Romance sound changes into Old Spanish and then modern ruiseñor, the name refers to the night-singing songbird.
Usage tips
- Often used in poetry and song as a metaphor for someone with a beautiful singing voice, and the letter ñ is required for correct pronunciation.