hiena
/ˈʝena/feminine
The Spanish word for hyena is hiena.
hiena refers to the mammal known as a hyena. In scientific or zoological contexts, the specific term Hiena manchada is used to refer to the spotted hyena.
Meaning: mammal (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
hiena is a feminine noun. The plural form is hienas.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʝena/
Did you know?
- The etymological roots of hiena can be traced back to a Proto-Indo-European root that is thought to be related to the concept of 'pig' or 'swine' in some ancient linguistic theories.
- In Spanish literature and folklore, the hiena is often grouped with the chacal (jackal) to symbolize cowardice or scavenging.
- In Spanish, the word hiena is often used metaphorically to describe a person who is predatory, opportunistic, or someone who takes advantage of others in a scavenging way.
Examples in context
- La hiena imita la voz humana.The hyena imitates the human voice.This sentence illustrates how the hiena imitates the human voice.Tatoeba #5822045 by albrusgher, translation #5144096 by CarpeLanam
- Una hiena impaciente muerde el cuerno.A hasty hyena bites the horn.This sentence shows a hiena biting a horn.Tatoeba #5822050 by albrusgher, translation #5403563 by oyd11
- Las redes sociales permiten a los hombres revivir su instinto de cazadores en manada, como la hiena.Social networks enable men to revive their instinct of pack hunters, like hyena.This sentence uses hiena as a comparison for pack hunters.Tatoeba #5822082 by albrusgher, translation #1035111 by sacredceltic
- ¿Qué es una hiena?What is a hyena?
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A man and a woman are watching a nature documentary together.
- DanielEsa hiena es muy grande.That hyena is very big.
- ElenaSí, la hiena parece estar hambrienta.Yes, the hyena looks hungry.
- DanielEs un animal muy fuerte.It is a very strong animal.
- ElenaLas hienas son fascinantes.Hyenas are fascinating.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hyena” translations and entries hiena, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hiena, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
