simio
/ˈsimjo/
The Spanish word for 'ape' is simio.
simio refers to any primate that is not a human.
Meaning: any such primate other than a human (noun)
Which one should you use?
While simio is the precise term for an ape, the word mono (meaning 'monkey') is frequently used in colloquial Spanish to refer to any primate, including apes.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of simio is simios, and the feminine form is simia.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈsimjo/
Did you know?
Examples in context
- El estudio se centró en las similitudes entre los comportamientos de los humanos y los simios.The study focused on the similarities between human and ape behavior.
- Voy a ver unos monos en el zoológico.I'm going to see some apes at the zoo.
- ¡Mira ese chango colgando de las ramas!Look at that ape hanging from the branches!
- El simio come un plátano.The ape eats a banana.
- Vimos un simio en el zoológico.We saw an ape at the zoo.
- Ese simio es muy inteligente.That ape is very intelligent.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are visiting a wildlife sanctuary.
- AlejandroMira aquel simio en la rama.Look at that ape on the branch.
- ElenaEs un simio muy grande, Alejandro.It is a very large ape, Alejandro.
- Alejandro¿Es un simio de la selva?Is it a jungle ape?
- ElenaSí, parece un simio salvaje.Yes, it looks like a wild ape.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry simio, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries simio, CC BY-SA 4.0.
