mono grande
/mono ɡɾande/from spelling rules
The English phrase "big monkey" translates to Spanish as mono grande.
Which one should you use?
While mono grande refers to physical size, placing the adjective before the noun as gran mono would change the meaning to "great monkey" (referring to importance or quality rather than size).
How does it change in a sentence?
In Spanish, the adjective grande typically follows the noun mono to form the phrase mono grande.
How do you pronounce it?
/mono ɡɾande/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, if you call someone a mono, you are actually saying they are 'cute' rather than calling them a 'monkey'.
- The Spanish word mono is a surprising distant relative of the English 'monkey', both tracing back to the same Arabic root for 'baboon'.
- The word mono is also used in Spanish to describe a one-piece garment, similar to a 'jumpsuit' or 'overalls'.
Examples in context
- ¿Viste ese mono grande en el zoológico?Did you see that big monkey at the zoo?
- ¡Encuentro a los monos grandes tan divertidos!I find big monkeys so amusing!
- ¡Mira ese mono gigante trepando los árboles!Look at that giant monkey climbing the trees!
- Hoy vi un mono gigante en el bosque, ¡era impresionante!Today I saw an enormous monkey in the forest, it was impressive!
- El zoológico alberga un simio grande y varias otras especies interesantes.The zoo houses a big monkey and several other interesting species.
- La investigadora dedicó su vida al estudio del simio grande de la Amazonia.The researcher devoted her life to studying the large monkey of the Amazon.
- Vimos un mono grande en el zoológico.We saw a big monkey at the zoo.
- Ese mono grande está comiendo una banana.That big monkey is eating a banana.
- El dibujo es de un mono grande.The drawing is of a big monkey.
Example conversation
María and Daniel are looking at a picture book in a park.
- María¿Qué es eso, Daniel?What is that, Daniel?
- DanielEs un mono grande en el árbol.It is a big monkey in the tree.
- María¡Es un mono grande y muy divertido!It is a big monkey and very funny!
- DanielSí, me gusta mucho este dibujo.Yes, I like this drawing a lot.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries grande, mono, CC BY-SA 4.0.
