monito
/monito/from spelling rules
The English phrase "baby monkey" is translated into Spanish as monito.
You can use this phrase to refer to a young monkey or a small monkey. While it literally means "little monkey," it is the standard way to express that a monkey is a baby.
What does it mean word for word?
This suffix is used to indicate that the animal is small or young.
Which one should you use?
The word mono simply refers to a monkey, whereas monito specifically targets a baby or small monkey due to that diminutive suffix. For a more technical or formal description, you might use Cría de simio.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Spanish-speaking regions, particularly in Latin America, you may hear the informal term Changuito to refer to a baby monkey.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form monito is the diminutive of mono.
How do you pronounce it?
/monito/
Did you know?
- The word mono also means 'one-piece garment' or 'jumpsuit' in Spanish, meaning you could technically call a baby's romper a monito.
- While monito refers to a baby monkey, the word mono is also used in some regions to describe a strong craving for a drug or a specific food.
- In Spain, calling someone a mono or monito does not just refer to their animal likeness, but is a common way to say they are 'cute'.
Examples in context
- La cría de mono es muy juguetonaThe baby monkey is very playful
- La cría de simio se abraza a su madre mientras juegaThe baby monkey clings to its mother while playing
- Mira ese monito tan traviesoLook at that mischievous little monkey
- El changuito saltaba de rama en ramaThe baby monkey hopped from branch to branch
- ¡Mira qué changuito tan adorable!Look at that adorable baby monkey!
- Me encantan los monos, especialmente las crías de monoI love monkeys, especially baby monkeys
- El monito salta en el árbol.The baby monkey jumps in the tree.
- Mira ese monito tan pequeño.Look at that very small baby monkey.
- El monito duerme con su mamá.The baby monkey sleeps with its mother.
Example conversation
Javier and María are visiting a zoo.
- Javier¿Viste al monito en la jaula?Did you see the baby monkey in the cage?
- MaríaSí, el monito es muy tierno.Yes, the baby monkey is very cute.
- JavierParece que tiene mucha hambre.It looks like he is very hungry.
- MaríaEs verdad, es muy pequeñito.It is true, he is very tiny.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
