tuza
/ˈtuθa/feminine
The English word gopher is translated into Spanish as tuza. Wiktionary also lists geómido and taltuza.
Meaning: small burrowing rodent (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| tuza | /ˈtuθa/ /ˈtusa/ |
feminine |
| geómido | /xeomido/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| taltuza | /talˈtuθa/ /talˈtusa/ |
feminine |
The term refers to a small burrowing rodent.
Which one should you use?
The masculine form geómido is used for the rodent, while tuza and taltuza are feminine forms. The term tuzas is also used as an informal way to refer to the animal.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the term tuzas is commonly used to refer to gophers.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtuθa/
Did you know?
- The word geómido shares a root with the English word 'geomancy', as both derive from the Greek 'ge' meaning 'earth'.
- In Mexican folklore, the tuza is sometimes associated with the hidden secrets of the underworld because of its burrowing habits.
- In certain regions, the word tuza is used metaphorically to describe a person who is sneaky or hides things, much like a rodent in a burrow.
Examples in context
- Ayer vi muchas tuzas en el jardín de mi abuela. Son adorables.Yesterday I saw many gophers in my grandmother's garden. They are adorable.
- La tuza está en el jardín.The gopher is in the garden.
- Vi una tuza cerca del árbol.I saw a gopher near the tree.
- Esa tuza cavó un túnel grande.That gopher dug a large tunnel.
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are looking at their damaged vegetable patch.
- ElenaMateo, mira este agujero en la tierra.Mateo, look at this hole in the ground.
- MateoParece que una tuza pasó por aquí.It looks like a gopher passed through here.
- ElenaLa tuza se comió mis plantas.The gopher ate my plants.
- MateoTendremos que proteger el huerto, Elena.We will have to protect the garden, Elena.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “gopher” translations and entries tuza, taltuza, 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.
