chinchilla
/t͡ʃinˈt͡ʃiʝa/feminine
The Spanish word for chinchilla is chinchilla.
Meaning: rodent (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
/tʃinˈtʃiʝa/
Did you know?
- The word chinchilla comes from the Aymara language, which is spoken by indigenous people in the Andes mountains of Bolivia and Peru.
- While English speakers use 'chinchilla' for both the animal and the fur, Spanish speakers use piel de chinchilla to specifically refer to the luxury textile.
- Because they are native to the high Andes, chinchillas are often associated in Latin American folklore with the rugged and cold mountain landscapes.
Examples in context
- Me encantan las chinchillasI love chinchillas
- Quiero adoptar una chinchillaI want to adopt a chinchilla
- Tan linda como una chinchillaAs cute as a chinchilla
- Más suave que una chinchillaSofter than a chinchilla
- La chinchilla tiene un pelaje muy suave.The chinchilla has very soft fur.
- Vi una chinchilla en el zoológico.I saw a chinchilla at the zoo.
- Esa chinchilla es muy pequeña.That chinchilla is very small.
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are visiting a pet store.
- DanielMira esa chinchilla gris.Look at that gray chinchilla.
- LucíaEs muy linda, Daniel.It is very cute, Daniel.
- DanielCreo que la chinchilla es tranquila.I think the chinchilla is calm.
- LucíaSí, sería una mascota genial.Yes, it would be a great pet.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “chinchilla” translations and entries chinchilla, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chinchilla, CC BY-SA 4.0.
