navaja de mariposa
/nabaxa de maɾiposa/from spelling rules
The English phrase "butterfly knife" is translated into Spanish as navaja de mariposa.
A navaja de mariposa refers to a folding pocket knife.
Meaning: folding pocket knife (noun)
Which one should you use?
The term balisong is also used in Spanish-speaking knife enthusiast circles to refer to the same object.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, the term cortaplumas mariposa is used for a butterfly penknife or butterfly pocketknife. In Mexico, you may encounter the term navaja mariposa for a butterfly knife.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase plural, change navaja to navajas to get navajas de mariposa.
Did you know?
- The word mariposa may originate from the phrase María pósate, which translates to 'Mary, alight!' This refers to an old belief that butterflies were the souls of the deceased and should be welcomed by the Virgin Mary.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, the phrase sacar la navaja (to take out the knife) can be used figuratively to describe someone becoming suddenly aggressive or defensive in an argument.
- The word navaja refers to a knife but is also used in Spanish to describe a specific type of folding knife that is traditional to the region of Albacete.
Examples in context
- Voy a comprar una navaja de mariposa para mi colección.I am going to buy a butterfly knife for my collection.
- Él juega con su navaja de mariposa.He plays with his butterfly knife.
- Esa navaja de mariposa es muy brillante.That butterfly knife is very shiny.
- No quiero comprar una navaja de mariposa.I do not want to buy a butterfly knife.
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are at a collector's market.
- Elena¿Es esa tu navaja de mariposa, Daniel?Is that your butterfly knife, Daniel?
- DanielSí, es nueva.Yes, it is new.
- ElenaEs muy bonita, pero ten cuidado.It is very pretty, but be careful.
- DanielLo tendré en cuenta, Elena.I will keep that in mind, Elena.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, mariposa, navaja, CC BY-SA 4.0.
