anguila eléctrica
/anˌɡila eˈleɡtɾika/
The English phrase electric eel is translated into Spanish as anguila eléctrica.
The term refers to a type of fish capable of generating an electric shock to stun its prey or for defense.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of anguila, meaning eel and eléctrica, meaning electric.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the standard term is anguila eléctrica. In Venezuela, you might hear the term temblador or the slightly longer temblador eléctrico. In Colombia, the term anguila tembladora is commonly used.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because anguila is a feminine noun, the adjective must be the feminine form eléctrica instead of the masculine eléctrico. To form the plural, both the noun and the adjective must take the plural suffix -s, resulting in anguilas eléctricas.
How do you pronounce it?
/anˌɡila eˈleɡtɾika/
Did you know?
- The Latin root of anguila was originally used for any kind of snake or serpent, not just eels.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, the term temblador can be used colloquially to describe someone who is very nervous or shaking with fear.
- The word anguila has a close relative in Spanish, the word angula, which refers specifically to a very young and slender eel.
Examples in context
- ¡Mira esa anguila eléctrica en el río! ¡Es sorprendente!Look at that electric eel in the river! It's amazing!
- En algunas regiones de México, a la anguila eléctrica también se le llama temblador eléctrico.In some regions of Mexico, the electric eel is also called 'temblador eléctrico.'
- La anguila eléctrica vive en el Amazonas.The electric eel lives in the Amazon.
- ¡Mira, una anguila eléctrica en ese acuario!Look, an electric eel in that aquarium!
- Una anguila eléctrica puede dar una descarga.An electric eel can give a shock.
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are watching a nature documentary on TV.
- Mateo¿Es peligrosa esa anguila eléctrica?Is that electric eel dangerous?
- LucíaSí, Mateo, es muy peligrosa.Yes, Mateo, it is very dangerous.
- MateoNo quiero verla de cerca.I don't want to see it up close.
- LucíaYo tampoco, es impresionante.Me neither, it is impressive.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry anguila eléctrica, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries anguila, anguila eléctrica, CC BY-SA 4.0.
