tortuga laúd
/toɾtuɡa laud/from spelling rules
The English phrase leatherback turtle is tortuga laúd in Spanish.
This phrase refers to the large species of sea turtle characterized by its leathery shell.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Caribbean islands, you may hear the term tortuga tinglar instead.
How does it change in a sentence?
When referring to more than one specimen, the noun is pluralized to tortugas laúd. The species name laúd remains in its singular form when it acts as a modifier for the noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/toɾtuɡa laud/
Did you know?
- The word laúd in tortuga laúd is the same word for a lute, the stringed instrument. The turtle is named after the instrument because its shell resembles the curved back of a lute.
- The word tortuga is believed to have evolved from the Ancient Greek word tartaroûkhos, meaning a spirit of Tartarus, the abyss of the underworld.
Examples in context
- La tortuga laúd es la más grande de todas las tortugas marinas.The leatherback turtle is the largest of all sea turtles.
- La tortuga laúd es muy grande.The leatherback turtle is very large.
- He visto una tortuga laúd en la playa.I have seen a leatherback turtle on the beach.
- Esa tortuga laúd tiene un caparazón suave.That leatherback turtle has a soft shell.
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are watching a nature documentary together.
- Alejandro¿Es esa una tortuga laúd?Is that a leatherback turtle?
- MaríaSí, es una tortuga laúd muy impresionante.Yes, it is a very impressive leatherback turtle.
- AlejandroEs increíble lo que hace María para estudiarlas.It is incredible what Maria does to study them.
- MaríaElla ama a estos animales.She loves these animals.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries laúd, tortuga, CC BY-SA 4.0.
