homólogo
/oˈmoloɡo/
The English word "homologous" is translated into Spanish as homólogo.
In biology, this adjective describes something that corresponds to a similar structure in another life form.
Meaning: (biology) corresponding to a similar structure in another life form (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. Use the feminine form homóloga when describing a feminine noun. Use the masculine plural form homólogos when describing a group of masculine or mixed-gender nouns, and use the feminine plural form homólogas when describing a group of feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/oˈmoloɡo/
Did you know?
- Unlike English, where 'homologous' is almost strictly scientific, the Spanish homólogo is frequently used in daily news to describe people with matching job titles.
- The term homólogo comes from the Ancient Greek word homólogos, which originally meant 'in agreement' or 'of one mind'.
- The Greek root 'homos' meaning 'same' is also found in the Spanish word homónimo, which refers to words that sound or are spelled the same but have different meanings.
Examples in context
- El genoma humano y el genoma del chimpancé son homólogos.The human genome and the chimpanzee genome are homologous.
- El brazo es un órgano homólogo al ala.The arm is an organ homologous to the wing.
- Buscamos un gen homólogo en esta especie.We are looking for a homologous gene in this species.
- Estos huesos son homólogos en ambos animales.These bones are homologous in both animals.
Example conversation
Two students are studying biology in a library.
- MaríaMira este dibujo del ala del murciélago.Look at this drawing of the bat's wing.
- AlejandroEs el hueso homólogo al del brazo humano, ¿verdad?It is the homologous bone to the human arm, right?
- MaríaSí, tienen un origen evolutivo común.Yes, they have a common evolutionary origin.
- AlejandroAhora entiendo mejor la lección.Now I understand the lesson better.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “homologous” translations and entries homólogo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries homólogo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
