lombriz de tierra
/lomˌbɾiθ de ˈtjera/feminine
The English phrase earthworm is translated into Spanish as lombriz de tierra. Wiktionary also lists gusano de tierra and miñosa.
Meaning: worm (animal) (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| lombriz de tierra | /lomˌbɾiθ de ˈtjera/ /lomˌbɾis de ˈtjera/ |
feminine |
| gusano de tierra | /ɡusano de tjera/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| miñosa | /miɲosa/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| lombriz térrea | /lombɾiθ terea/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /lombɾis terea/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
feminine |
| lambrija | /lamˈbɾixa/ | feminine |
| gusano terrero | /ɡusano tereɾo/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
This term refers specifically to the animal known as an earthworm.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase lombriz de tierra literally means worm of earth.
Which one should you use?
The word lombriz specifically refers to an earthworm, whereas gusano is a more general term for any worm (including larvae or parasites).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, particularly Mexico and Central America, lombriz de tierra común or lombriz común are used to specify the common earthworm. Other forms include miñosa, lombriz térrea, lambrija, gusano terrero and gusano de tierra.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase plural, you pluralize the noun lombriz to lombrices while keeping the prepositional phrase de tierra the same, resulting in las lombrices de tierra.
How do you pronounce it?
/lomˌbɾiθ de ˈtjera/
Did you know?
- While lombriz is the standard word for an earthworm, the term gusano can also be used in political contexts to describe a 'reactionary' or 'counter-revolutionary' person.
- The term miñosa is used in some areas to refer to an earthworm, though in other contexts this word can be used as an adjective for someone who is 'spoiled' or 'pampered'.
- The word tierra (earth) shares an ancient ancestor with the English word 'dry', stemming from the Proto-Indo-European root *ters-.
Examples in context
- La gallina se comió una lombriz de tierra.The hen ate an earthworm.This sentence shows how a hen might consume a lombriz de tierra.Tatoeba #12189732 by Adelpa, translation #6060876 by colwem
- Hay una lombriz de tierra debajo de la piedra.There's an earthworm under the stone.This sentence describes the location of a lombriz de tierra relative to a stone.Tatoeba #10580456 by Adelpa, translation #10580710 by Adelpa
- La lombriz de tierra es una especie fundamental para el equilibrio del suelo y la producción agrícola.The earthworm is a fundamental species for soil balance and agricultural production.
- Los anélidos lumbrícidos son invertebrados que desempeñan un papel vital en la formación de los suelos.Lumbricid earthworms are invertebrates that play a vital role in soil formation.
- Ayer, mientras trabajaba en el jardín, encontré un gusano enorme.Yesterday, while I was working in the garden, I found a huge earthworm.
- Si quieres mantener un jardín saludable, debes asegurarte de tener lombrices de tierra comunes en el suelo.If you want to maintain a healthy garden, you need to make sure you have common earthworms in the soil.
- En el sur de España, a veces podemos ver los toritos asomando en los días lluviosos.In the south of Spain, sometimes we can see the earthworms appearing on rainy days.
- La lombriz de tierra se mueve en el jardín.The earthworm moves in the garden.
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are gardening together in the backyard.
- Alejandro¿Viste esa lombriz de tierra en la maceta?Did you see that earthworm in the flowerpot?
- MaríaSí, es muy pequeña y larga.Yes, it is very small and long.
- AlejandroMejor no la toques con las manos.Better not touch it with your hands.
- MaríaTienes razón, la dejaré en la tierra.You are right, I will leave it in the soil.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “earthworm” translations and entries lombriz de tierra, lambrija, 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 de, gusano, lombriz, tierra, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
