Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| lamer | /laˈmeɾ/ | |
| lamber | /lamˈbeɾ/ | alternative form |
| lambear | /lambeaɾ/ (from spelling rules) | alternative form |
| lambetear | /lambeteaɾ/ (from spelling rules) | |
| lametear | /lameteaɾ/ (from spelling rules) | |
| relamer | /relameɾ/ (from spelling rules) |
The verb lamer is the standard way to describe the action of stroking something with the tongue. For the act of licking itself, you can use the nouns lamedura, lambida or lambetazo. In a colloquial sense, the word chin can refer to a bit or a small amount.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb relamer uses the prefix re- to indicate the action of licking something again or licking something up, such as a surface.
Which one should you use?
While lamer is the standard term, lambetear implies a repetitive or light licking motion, often used when describing animals or small amounts of liquid. The form relamer specifically means to lick again or to lick up a surface. The noun lambetazo refers to a single, quick stroke of the tongue.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The spelling lamber is a common phonetic misspelling or a regional variant found in many dialects. The spelling lambear is also an alternative spelling of lamer.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb lamer is a regular -er verb in Spanish.
How do you pronounce it?
/laˈmeɾ/
Did you know?
- In certain Spanish dialects, lambiscos is a slang term for a 'brown-noser' or a sycophant, deriving from the idea of licking someone's boots.
- The verb lamer is a linguistic cousin to the English word 'lambent', which describes a light, flickering flame that seems to lick the air.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, the phrase lamerse los dedos 'to lick one's fingers' is used idiomatically to describe something that is delicious or a situation that is highly advantageous.
Examples in context
- Ve a lamer un árbol.Go lick a tree.This sentence demonstrates the use of lamer.Tatoeba #10083389 by ecorralest101, translation #10083388 by espamatics
- Mi perro le dio un lametón a mi mano.My dog gave my hand a lick.
- Los felinos utilizan su lengua para lamerse y mantenerse limpios.Felines use their tongues to lick themselves and stay clean.
- ¡Déjame chupar el helado un poco más!Let me lick the ice cream a bit more!
- A mi gato le encanta lamerse las patas.My cat loves to lick his paws.
- Vimos al perro pasar la lengua por toda la superficie del plato.We saw the dog lick the entire surface of the plate.
- El perro quiere lamer mi mano.The dog wants to lick my hand.
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are watching a puppy.
- SofíaMira cómo intenta lamer tu zapato.Look how he tries to lick your shoe.
- JavierEs muy cariñoso este perrito.This little puppy is very affectionate.
- SofíaNo dejes que te siga a lamer.Don't let him keep licking you.
- JavierEstá bien, no me molesta.It's okay, it doesn't bother me.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lick” translations and entries lamer, lamber, lambear, lambetear, lametear, relamer, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
