bichos
/bit͡ʃos/from spelling rules
The English phrase "bugs" can be translated into Spanish as bichos.
bichos refers to small insects or similar creepy-crawlies. Beyond insects, the word can sometimes be used metaphorically to refer to any strange or unpleasant creature or thing.
Which one should you use?
While bichos is used colloquially for bugs, insectos is the more formal and widely recognized term for insects. If you are referring to bugs that have become pests and are causing harm or damage, the term plagas is used. For a strictly scientific context, one would use artrópodos to refer to animals including bugs, spiders, scorpions and crustaceans.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
bichos is an informal way to refer to insects or bugs. In more formal or scientific settings, you should use insectos or artrópodos.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some regions, particularly in Spain, the word bicharracos is used to refer to larger insects or bugs.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word provided is the plural form bichos. The singular form is bicho.
How do you pronounce it?
/bitʃos/
Did you know?
- In some Latin American countries, particularly in the Caribbean, calling someone bicho can actually be a very vulgar slang term for male genitalia.
- The phrase qué bicho te picó literally means 'what bug bit you', but it is used idiomatically to ask why someone is suddenly in a bad mood or acting irritable.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, calling a person a bicho is not necessarily an insult, but can actually be a way to call them a 'clever' or 'resourceful' person.
Examples in context
- ¿Te gustan los bichos?Do you like bugs?This sentence is useful for asking if someone likes bugs using bichos.Tatoeba #5188844 by umano, translation #2280269 by CK
- En el arroz había bichos.There were bugs in the rice.This sentence is useful for describing the presence of bichos in food.Tatoeba #13681597 by Seael, translation #12755653 by rul
- A los bichos les atrae la luz.Bugs are attracted to light.This sentence is useful for noting how bichos react to light.Tatoeba #13435010 by Seael, translation #5128400 by honestlang
- Es importante controlar las plagas de insectos en los cultivos para evitar daños.It is important to control insect pests in crops to prevent damage.
- ¡Mira esos bichitos tan graciosos en el jardín!Look at those funny little bugs in the garden!
- Existen miles de especies de artrópodos en el mundo.There are thousands of arthropod species in the world.
- ¡Cuidado con esos bicharracos voladores que tienes en casa!Be careful with those big flying bugs you have at home!
- La empresa de control de plagas se encargará de lidiar con los insectos dañinos.The pest control company will take care of dealing with harmful insects.
- ¡No te preocupes por los bichos en la playa, son inofensivos!Don't worry about the bugs at the beach, they are harmless!
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are hiking in a forest.
- Javier¡Mira esos bichos en el árbol!Look at those bugs on the tree!
- SofíaSon muy pequeños, Javier.They are very small, Javier.
- JavierNo quiero tocar a los bichos.I don't want to touch the bugs.
- SofíaNo te preocupes, no muerden.Don't worry, they don't bite.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
