hermosa mariposa
/eɾmosa maɾiposa/from spelling rules
The English phrase "beautiful butterfly" is translated into Spanish as hermosa mariposa.
This phrase is used to describe a butterfly that is visually pleasing or attractive.
Which one should you use?
While hermosa mariposa is a common way to express this idea, using bella mariposa would sound more poetic or literary.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective hermosa must agree in gender with the feminine noun mariposa.
How do you pronounce it?
/eɾmosa maɾiposa/
Did you know?
- One popular theory suggests mariposa comes from the phrase María pósate, meaning 'Mary, alight!', which stems from the spiritual belief that butterflies were the souls of the dead.
- While hermosa describes beauty, the word mariposa is used in some regions as slang to describe a flamboyant or effeminate man.
- In Spanish, the word mariposa is used to describe a specific type of swimming stroke, known as estilo mariposa or the butterfly stroke.
Examples in context
- Atrapé una hermosa mariposa.I caught a beautiful butterfly.This sentence is useful for describing the act of catching a hermosa mariposa.Tatoeba #1323394 by marcelostockle, translation #261436 by CK
- Esta oruga se convertirá en una hermosa mariposa.This caterpillar will become a beautiful butterfly.This sentence is useful for describing a caterpillar's transformation into a hermosa mariposa.Tatoeba #1065031 by hayastan, translation #60274 by CK
- Un día esta oruga se convertirá en una hermosa mariposa.One day this caterpillar will turn into a beautiful butterfly.This sentence is useful for describing the future transformation of a caterpillar into a hermosa mariposa.Tatoeba #702584 by Shishir, translation #682255 by Source_VOA
- Observé una mariposa hermosa posada en una flor.I observed a beautiful butterfly perched on a flower.
- Las mariposas hermosas son símbolos de transformación.Beautiful butterflies are symbols of transformation.
- ¡El jardín está lleno de mariposas hermosas, pero ese mariposón es el rey!The garden is filled with beautiful butterflies, but that big butterfly is the king!
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofia are walking through a garden.
- Daniel¡Mira esa hermosa mariposa!Look at that beautiful butterfly!
- SofíaEs increíble, tiene colores brillantes.It's incredible, it has bright colors.
- DanielNunca vi una hermosa mariposa así.I have never seen such a beautiful butterfly.
- SofíaTienes razón, Daniel. Es preciosa.You are right, Daniel. It is gorgeous.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mariposa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
