ardilla listada
/aɾˌdiʝa lisˈtada/feminine
The English word "chipmunk" can be translated into Spanish as ardilla listada. Wiktionary also lists tamia and ardilla listeada.
Meaning: rodent (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ardilla listada | /aɾˌdiʝa lisˈtada/ | feminine |
| tamia | /tamja/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| ardilla listeada | /aɾdiʝa listeada/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
The term refers to the small rodent known as a chipmunk.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase ardilla listada literally means "striped squirrel".
Which one should you use?
ardilla listada is a descriptive term used in common speech, whereas tamia is the specific biological genus name.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because ardilla is a feminine noun, the adjective must also be feminine: listada (not listado).
How do you pronounce it?
/aɾˌdiʝa lisˈtada/
Did you know?
- The word ardilla is actually a double diminutive. It comes from an older word for squirrel, arda, and adds the suffix -illa to make it smaller.
- In some Latin American regions, the term ardilla is used colloquially to describe a person who is very restless or fidgety.
- Because chipmunks are primarily found in North America, a person in Spain or Argentina might only know the animal through translated films or books rather than seeing one in nature.
Examples in context
- Mira, ¡una ardillita rayada! Parece estar buscando comida por aquí.Look, a cute little chipmunk! It seems to be looking for food around here.
- Mis hijos adoran observar a las ardillitas listadas en el parque. Son tan juguetonas.My children love watching the striped chipmunks at the park. They are so playful.
- En el bosque de Guadarrama, es posible observar la ardilla rayada en su hábitat natural.In the Guadarrama forest, it's possible to observe the chipmunk in its natural habitat.
- Vi una ardilla listada en el bosque.I saw a chipmunk in the forest.
- La ardilla listada come semillas de girasol.The chipmunk eats sunflower seeds.
- Esa ardilla listada es muy pequeña.That chipmunk is very small.
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are walking in a forest.
- DanielLucía, ¿qué es ese animal pequeño?Lucía, what is that small animal?
- LucíaEs una ardilla listada, Daniel.It is a chipmunk, Daniel.
- DanielEs muy rápida y bonita.It is very fast and cute.
- LucíaSí, me encantan las ardillas listadas.Yes, I love chipmunks.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “chipmunk” translations and entries ardilla listada, 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 ardilla, CC BY-SA 4.0.
