pajarito
/paxaˈɾito/
The English phrase "baby bird" is translated into Spanish as pajarito.
pajarito is a common way to refer to a small or little bird, while polluelo is the specific biological term for a hatchling or a baby bird.
Which one should you use?
pajarito is a general, common term for a little bird. In contrast, polluelo refers specifically to the biological stage of being a chick or a hatchling. For formal contexts, the phrase cría de ave is used to mean bird chick.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural form, pajaritos, add -s to the end of the word. If you are referring to a bird that is specifically female, you can change the ending to pajarita.
How do you pronounce it?
/paxaˈɾito/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, the word pajarito is used as a colloquial euphemism for a child's penis.
- The word pájaro comes from the Latin 'passer', which is the same root found in the English word 'passerine' used to describe certain types of songbirds.
- In certain contexts, calling someone a pajarito can imply that they are flighty, naive or easily distracted.
Examples in context
- ¡Mira, una cría de ave!Look, a baby bird!
- Hay un pajarito en el nido.There is a baby bird in the nest.
- Mira ese pajarito tan pequeño.Look at that very small baby bird.
Example conversation
Sofía and Mateo are sitting in a garden.
- Sofía¡Mateo, mira ese pajarito!Mateo, look at that baby bird!
- MateoEs un pajarito muy bonito, Sofía.It is a very pretty baby bird, Sofía.
- Sofía¿Crees que tiene hambre?Do you think it is hungry?
- MateoTal vez necesite comida.Maybe it needs food.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry pajarito, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pajarito, CC BY-SA 4.0.
