sapo de caña
/sapo de kaɲa/from spelling rulesmasculine
The English phrase 'cane toad' is translated into Spanish as sapo de caña. Wiktionary also lists cururú.
Meaning: Bufo marinus (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| sapo de caña | /sapo de kaɲa/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| cururú | /kuɾuɾu/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
The term refers to the species Bufo marinus. You can use the standard name sapo de caña or the alternative name cururú depending on the location and context.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase sapo de caña literally translates to 'cane toad', where sapo means toad and caña means cane or reed.
Which one should you use?
While sapo de caña is the standard term, cururú serves as a common alternative name used in various Spanish-speaking regions.
Is it said differently in some regions?
cururú is a term frequently used in parts of Latin America to refer to this specific species of toad.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase sapo de caña plural, you change the noun sapo to sapos to get sapos de caña.
How do you pronounce it?
/sapo de kaɲa/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word caña comes from the Latin canna, which was borrowed from the Akkadian word qanûm.
- The term cururú is an onomatopoeic name used in several Latin American countries, meant to mimic the deep, rhythmic croaking sound made by the toad.
- In some Latin American folk traditions, the cururú is associated with rain and is sometimes mentioned in traditional songs and children's rhymes.
Examples in context
- La población de sapos de caña está aumentando rápidamente en la zona.The cane toad population is rapidly increasing in the area.
- El sapo de caña es muy grande.The cane toad is very large.
- Vi un sapo de caña en el jardín.I saw a cane toad in the garden.
- Ten cuidado con ese sapo de caña.Be careful with that cane toad.
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are walking near a pond.
- DanielMira, Sofía, hay un sapo de caña allí.Look, Sofía, there is a cane toad there.
- SofíaEs muy grande, Daniel.It is very big, Daniel.
- DanielNo lo toques porque es venenoso.Don't touch it because it is poisonous.
- SofíaTienes razón, me alejaré.You are right, I will move away.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cane toad” translations and entries sapo de caña, 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 caña, de, sapo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
