Spanish word

simio

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈsimjo/

Meaning

  • masculine nounmonkey

Example

¡Mira ese simio en el árbol!

Look at that monkey in the tree!

Illustration for simio (monkey)

More examples

Los cuidadores alimentan a los simios cada mañana.

The caretakers feed the monkeys every morning.

Core concept

Ape-like primate, typically lacking a tail and resembling humans.

Common phrases

  • un simio joven

    young monkey

  • colonia de simios

    group of monkeys

  • alimentar a simios

    feeding monkeys

Similar words

mono: Small tailed primate that lives in trees and moves nimbly among branches.
chimpancé: Large tailless primate with high intelligence and behavior similar to humans.
gorila: Very large muscular tailless primate that lives on the ground in social groups.
orangután: Large tailless primate with reddish hair that lives alone in trees.

Definition in Spanish

Término que refiere a un 'mono' de aspecto humanoide; suele señalar a los simios sin cola en la zoología y puede emplearse como insulto en el habla cotidiana.

Word origin

The word derives from Latin simius/simia and entered Spanish by normal Romance sound changes, making it cognate with the English adjective simian.

Usage tips

  • Everyday Spanish more often uses mono or a specific species name for 'monkey', while simio is more technical or pejorative in casual speech.

Other meanings

  • apenoun

Related words

  • simiescosimianadjective

Word lists with this word