kiwi
/ˈkiwi/
The Spanish term for the kiwi bird is kiwi.
The word kiwi refers to the flightless bird that is native to New Zealand.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkiwi/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word kiwi traveled a long linguistic path, being borrowed from English which had previously borrowed it from Māori.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, people may say pájaro kiwi to specify the bird and avoid confusion with the fruit.
- Unlike English, where 'kiwi' is a common demonym, calling someone a kiwi in Spanish can sound like you are calling them a fruit if the context of New Zealand is not clear.
Examples in context
- El ave kiwi es conocida por su singular apariencia y su incapacidad para volar.The kiwi bird is known for its unique appearance and its inability to fly.
- Me encanta observar los pájaros kiwi en su hábitat natural.I love observing the kiwi birds in their natural habitat.
- ¿Sabías que los kiwis son aves nocturnas?Did you know that kiwi birds are nocturnal?
- El kiwi es un ave muy especial.The kiwi is a very special bird.
- Vi un kiwi en el zoológico.I saw a kiwi at the zoo.
- ¿Es el kiwi un ave que vuela?Is the kiwi a bird that flies?
Example conversation
María and Daniel are watching a nature documentary on TV.
- MaríaEse kiwi es muy curioso, ¿verdad?That kiwi is very curious, right?
- DanielSí, María, es fascinante verlo.Yes, María, it is fascinating to see it.
- MaríaNo puede volar, ¿cierto?It cannot fly, right?
- DanielNo, el kiwi no vuela.No, the kiwi does not fly.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry kiwi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kiwi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
