hormiga
/hoˈɾmi.ɡa/ [hoɾˈmi.ɣ̞a]feminine
The English word 'ant' is translated into Spanish as hormiga. Wiktionary also lists huasho and shishi.
Meaning: insect (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| hormiga | /hoˈɾmi.ɡa/ [hoɾˈmi.ɣ̞a] /oɾˈmiɡa/ |
feminine |
| huasho | /waso/ (from spelling rules) | Peru, masculine |
| shishi | /sisi/ (from spelling rules) | Argentina, feminine |
The word refers to the insect known as an ant.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, the feminine form shishi is used. In Peru, the masculine form huasho is used.
How does it change in a sentence?
hormiga is a feminine noun. huasho is a masculine noun. shishi is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/hoˈɾmi.ɡa/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the word hormigueo describes the 'pins and needles' sensation of a limb falling asleep, literally meaning 'ants crawling' under the skin.
- The word hormiga is related to the word 'formic', which in English describes substances like 'formic acid' found in ants.
- The spelling of hormiga includes a silent 'h', which is a common feature of words derived from Latin roots starting with 'f', such as the original 'formiga'.
Examples in context
- Sysko trabaja como hormiga.Sysko works like an ant.This sentence is useful for showing how hormiga can be used in a simile to describe someone's work ethic.Tatoeba #1469611 by marcelostockle, translation #67331 by Scott
- La reina es una hormiga con alas.The queen is an ant with wings.This sentence provides an example of using hormiga to describe a queen ant.Tatoeba #8383536 by arh, translation #8383987 by cromwellt
- Esta hormiga es la reina, ¿no ves que tiene alas?This ant is the queen, don't you see she has wings?This sentence is a way to identify a specific hormiga by its physical characteristic of having wings.Tatoeba #845519 by Shishir, translation #851128 by papabear
- Me fascina observar el comportamiento de las hormigas en su hormiguero.I am fascinated by observing the behavior of ants in their anthill.
- Las hormigas pueden transportar objetos que pesan varias veces su propio peso.Ants can carry objects that weigh several times their own weight.
- ¡Mira esa diminuta hormiguita llevando ese pedazo de comida tan grande!Look at that tiny little ant carrying such a big piece of food!
- Mi sobrina cree que las hormiguitas son muy trabajadoras.My niece thinks ants are very hardworking.
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A kitchen during breakfast.
- DanielLucía, mira esta hormiga.Lucía, look at this ant.
- Lucía¡Qué asco! ¿Dónde está?How gross! Where is it?
- DanielEstá cerca de tu plato.It is near your plate.
- LucíaGracias por avisarme, Daniel.Thanks for letting me know, Daniel.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ant” translations and entries hormiga, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hormiga, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
