hormigas carpinteras
/oɾmiɡas kaɾpinteɾas/from spelling rules
The English phrase carpenter ants is translated into Spanish as hormigas carpinteras.
hormigas carpinteras is used to refer to the specific type of insect known as carpenter ants.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase follows the Spanish adjective-noun order and is composed of hormigas (ants) and carpinteras (carpenter/carpentry-related).
How does it change in a sentence?
Because hormiga is a feminine noun, the adjective carpintera must also take the feminine plural ending -as to match, resulting in hormigas carpinteras. If you wish to refer to a single carpenter ant, the singular form is hormiga carpintera, where both the noun and the adjective are changed to the singular form.
How do you pronounce it?
/oɾmiɡas kaɾpinteɾas/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word for ant, hormiga, is the root of the word hormigueo, which describes the tingling sensation of 'pins and needles'.
- In Mexico, certain types of ants are considered delicacies and are eaten, meaning hormigas can appear on a restaurant menu as a food item rather than a pest.
- The word hormiga comes from the Latin formica, which is also the root of the English word 'formic acid', the chemical these insects use for defense.
Examples in context
- Hay muchas hormigas carpinteras en el jardín.There are many carpenter ants in the garden.
- Las hormigas carpinteras pueden dañar la madera.Carpenter ants can damage wood.
- Vi un nido de hormigas carpinteras cerca de la pared.I saw a carpenter ant nest near the wall.
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are inspecting the wooden deck of their house.
- LucíaMateo, mira estas hormigas carpinteras en la madera.Mateo, look at these carpenter ants on the wood.
- MateoEs verdad, Lucía. Son un problema serio.It's true, Lucía. They are a serious problem.
- Lucía¿Deberíamos llamar a un experto?Should we call an expert?
- MateoSí, es mejor solucionar esto pronto.Yes, it is better to solve this soon.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
