pejelagarto
/pexelaɡaɾto/from spelling rules
The English word for the gar fish is translated into Spanish as pejelagarto.
While the English name for this species is gar, the specific term used in Spanish is pejelagarto.
Meaning: a North or Central American fish of the family Lepisosteidae (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word pejelagarto is a compound of pez (fish) and lagarto (alligator or lizard), literally meaning "gar-alligator".
How do you pronounce it?
/pexelaɡaɾto/
Did you know?
- The root lagarto means both 'lizard' and 'alligator', meaning pejelagarto could be interpreted as either a 'fish-lizard' or a 'fish-alligator'.
- Because the word peje is so common in Mexico, you will find it in many local fish market signs and regional dishes, not just in the name for the gar.
- The term pejelagarto contains the archaic word peje instead of the standard pez. While both come from the same root, peje is specifically used in certain regional contexts or older texts to refer to a fish.
Examples in context
- El pejelagarto es un pez muy grande.The gar is a very large fish.
- Vi un pejelagarto en el río.I saw a gar in the river.
- El pejelagarto tiene dientes muy largos.The gar has very long teeth.
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are looking at a biology book by the river.
- María¿Qué es ese animal, Alejandro?What is that animal, Alejandro?
- AlejandroEs un pejelagarto.It is a gar.
- MaríaEl pejelagarto parece un dinosaurio.The gar looks like a dinosaur.
- AlejandroSí, es un pez muy antiguo.Yes, it is a very ancient fish.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
