niguas
/niɡwas/from spelling rules
The English phrase "chiggers" is translated into Spanish as niguas.
The term refers to small mites that bite humans and animals, resulting in itchy red welts on the skin.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain regions of Mexico, the word picanillas is occasionally used to refer to chiggers.
How do you pronounce it?
/niɡwas/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking regions, niguas is used metaphorically to describe people who are irritating or persistently annoying, much like the itch of a chigger bite.
- The word picanillas, used in parts of Mexico, is a diminutive of the verb picar, which means both 'to sting' and 'to peck'.
- Depending on the Caribbean dialect, nigua can refer to both chiggers and certain types of lice.
Examples in context
- Disculpe, ¿sabe cómo tratar ácaros rojos?Excuse me, do you know how to treat chiggers?
- Las niguas me están picando mucho.The chiggers are biting me a lot.
- Ten cuidado con las niguas en el pasto.Be careful with the chiggers in the grass.
- Tengo unas ronchas por culpa de las niguas.I have some welts because of the chiggers.
Example conversation
Daniel and María are walking through a field in the countryside.
- María¡Ay! Me pica mucho la pierna.Ow! My leg itches a lot.
- DanielSeguro que son las niguas.It is surely the chiggers.
- MaríaDeberíamos salir de entre la hierba.We should get out from among the grass.
- DanielTienes razón, vamos a la casa.You are right, let's go to the house.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
