viuda negra
/bjuda neɡɾa/from spelling rulesfeminine
The English phrase "black widow" is translated into Spanish as viuda negra. Wiktionary also lists cazampulga.
Meaning: species of venomous spider (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| viuda negra | /bjuda neɡɾa/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| cazampulga | /kaθampulɡa/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /kasampulɡa/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
Honduras, feminine |
The term refers to the species of venomous spider. The most common and accurate way to express this in Spanish is viuda negra.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a literal translation: viuda means widow and negra means black.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Honduras, the black widow spider is colloquially referred to as cazampulga, which literally means "flea hunter".
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is feminine. Because viuda is a feminine noun, the adjective negra must also end in -a to ensure agreement.
Did you know?
- The word viuda underwent a process called metathesis, meaning the sounds in its ancestor word shifted positions over time to reach its current form.
- In Old Spanish, the term for widow appeared in various unstable forms such as bibda and biuda before the modern spelling was standardized.
Examples in context
- ¡Hay una enorme araña viuda negra en mi habitación!There's a huge black widow spider in my room!This sentence is useful for expressing alarm at finding a viuda negra in a room.Tatoeba #1555775 by hayastan, translation #1555376 by Spamster
- Esa viuda negra está en el jardín.That black widow is in the garden.
- Ten cuidado con la viuda negra.Be careful with the black widow.
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are looking at a spider in a garage.
- Mateo¿Es una viuda negra?Is it a black widow?
- LucíaSí, parece una viuda negra.Yes, it looks like a black widow.
- MateoNo te acerques a ella.Don't go near it.
- LucíaTienes razón, es muy peligrosa.You are right, it is very dangerous.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “black widow” translations and entries viuda negra, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries viuda, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
