medusa
standard, Mexico
In Mexico a jellyfish is medusa. On the coast people also say agua mala, literally "bad water", especially for the ones that sting.
Meaning: sea animal with tentacles (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| medusa | standard, Mexico |
| agua mala | coastal, Mexico |
Medusa is the word on signs and in science. At the beach a local may warn you Hay agua mala hoy.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Agua mala is used in several Mexican and Caribbean coastal areas, and it is a colloquial term, not a scientific one.
How does it change in a sentence?
Medusa is feminine: la medusa. The plural is medusas.
Did you know?
- The Spanish word medusa comes from the Greek myth of Medusa, whose hair was snakes, like the tentacles.
Examples in context
- Me picó una medusa.A jellyfish stung me.
- Hay agua mala en la playa.There are jellyfish on the beach.
- Vimos medusas en el acuario.We saw jellyfish at the aquarium.
Example conversation
A lifeguard talks to a swimmer, Luis, at a beach in Veracruz.
- SalvavidasCuidado, hay agua mala hoy.Careful, there are jellyfish today.
- Luis¿Dónde hay más medusas?Where are there more jellyfish?
- SalvavidasCerca de las rocas.Near the rocks.
