ocelotl
/oˈseː.loːtɬ/
The English word jaguar is translated into Nahuatl as ocelotl. Wiktionary also lists tekuani.
Meaning: Panthera onca (noun)
Ways to say it
| Nahuatl | IPA |
|---|---|
| ocelotl | /oˈseː.loːtɬ/ |
| tekuani |
In Nahuatl, ocelotl is the standard term used to refer to the jaguar. However, it is important to note that in many contexts, this same word is also used to refer to the ocelot.
What does it mean word for word?
The term tekuani is derived from a root meaning to eat or to consume, so it literally translates to the eater or the consumer.
Which one should you use?
While ocelotl is the standard name for the animal, tekuani is a more general term meaning wild beast or predator. Using tekuani acts as a poetic or descriptive way to refer to a jaguar.
How do you pronounce it?
/oˈseː.loːtɬ/. The word has 3 syllables and the stress is on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- In Aztec cosmology, the jaguar was believed to be the counterpart of the sun, representing the sun's journey through the underworld at night.
- The Aztec military had an elite group called the ocēlōmēh or 'Jaguar Warriors' who wore the skins of the animal to symbolize strength and bravery.
- The word ocelotl is a linguistic survivor that migrated from Nahuatl into Spanish and eventually into English. Because of this, the English word 'ocelot' is actually a direct loanword from the Nahuatl name for the animal.
Examples in context
- In ocelotl cualli.The jaguar is good.
Example conversation
Yolanda and José are looking at a picture of animals.
- Yolanda¿Cuix in ocelotl?Is this a jaguar?
- JoséQuiza in ocelotl ca.Maybe it is a jaguar.
- YolandaOcelotl itoca.Its name is jaguar.
- JoséYolanda, ocelotl is tlacpac.Yolanda, the jaguar is on top.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “jaguar” translations and entries ocelotl, tekuani, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ocelotl, CC BY-SA 4.0.
