sirenita
/siɾenita/from spelling rules
The English phrase "little mermaid" is translated into Spanish as sirenita.
This phrase refers to a mythical creature with the upper body of a human and the tail of a fish. The most common and widely accepted translation of "Little Mermaid" is La Sirenita.
Which one should you use?
The word sirenita specifically implies a "little" mermaid (often used for the Disney character). In contrast, sirena is the standard word for any mermaid.
How do you pronounce it?
/siɾenita/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the word sirena is used for both the mythical fish-woman and the loud alarm 'siren' on a police car or fire truck.
- The Spanish sirena is a direct descendant of the Greek 'Siren', who in original mythology were actually bird-women rather than creatures with fish tails.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, a person who is exceptionally beautiful or 'tempting' might be jokingly called a sirena, though this carries a more seductive connotation than the Disney version.
Examples in context
- La Sirenita suspiró y con tristeza miró su cola de pez.The little mermaid sighed and looked sadly at her fish tail.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use sirenita in a narrative context.Tatoeba #3037803 by marcelostockle, translation #1131488 by danepo
- Durante el seminario, se analizará la influencia de "La Sirenita" en el arte contemporáneo.During the seminar, the influence of "The Little Mermaid" on contemporary art will be analyzed.
- ¡Vamos a ver "La Sirenita" en el cine!Let's go watch "the Little Mermaid" at the cinema!
- La sirenita vive en el fondo del mar.The little mermaid lives at the bottom of the sea.
- ¿Te gusta la historia de la sirenita?Do you like the story of the little mermaid?
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are looking at a children's book.
- SofíaMira, Javier, ¡esta sirenita es muy bonita!Look, Javier, this little mermaid is very pretty!
- JavierSí, tiene un collar de perlas brillante.Yes, she has a shiny pearl necklace.
- SofíaMe pregunto dónde vive la sirenita.I wonder where the little mermaid lives.
- JavierSeguramente vive en un castillo bajo el agua.She probably lives in a castle under the water.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
