catarina
Mexico
In Mexico a "ladybug" is catarina. In Spain people say mariquita, and you may hear that word from other countries, but catarina is the one Mexicans use.
Meaning: small red beetle with black dots (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| catarina | Mexico |
| mariquita | Spain |
La catarina is the normal word in Mexico, in stories and in daily talk. It is feminine.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The word mariquita is understood in Mexico but is not the usual one, and it can also be used as a pejorative word, so catarina is safer.
Did you know?
- Catarina is also a girl's name in Mexico.
Examples in context
- Una catarina se posó en mi mano.A ladybug landed on my hand.
- Las catarinas comen pulgones.Ladybugs eat aphids.
Example conversation
Mia and her father look at a plant in the garden in León.
- MiaPapá, ven. Hay una catarina.Dad, come. There is a ladybug.
- PapáQué bonita. Déjala caminar.How pretty. Let her walk.
- MiaTiene puntitos negros.She has little black dots.
