monito
/monito/from spelling rules
The English phrase "little monkey" is translated into Spanish as monito.
This phrase refers to a small monkey or a young monkey. While the neutral term for any monkey is mono, using monito specifically implies that the monkey is small or young.
Which one should you use?
The term monito is used to emphasize smallness or youth, whereas mono is the neutral term for any monkey regardless of its size.
How does it change in a sentence?
To create the plural form for little monkeys, you add -s to the end of the word to get monitos.
How do you pronounce it?
/monito/
Did you know?
- The word mono can also mean 'one-piece garment' or 'jumpsuit' in various Spanish-speaking countries.
- In Spain, if you call a person mono or monita, you are actually calling them 'cute' or 'pretty' rather than a monkey. Using the diminutive monito can make the compliment feel even more affectionate.
- The suffix '-ito' used in monito is one of the most versatile tools in Spanish. While it indicates smallness here, it is frequently used to express endearment for people, objects, or even concepts regardless of their actual size.
Examples in context
- Ese niño es un pequeño monoThat child is a little monkey
- Qué mono chiquito tienesWhat a little monkey you have
- Ella es una experta en el comportamiento del simio pequeñoShe is an expert in the behavior of the little monkey
- ¡Hola, monito!Hello, little monkey!
- El monito es muy juguetón.The little monkey is very playful.
- Vi un monito en el zoológico.I saw a little monkey at the zoo.
- Ese monito tiene mucha hambre.That little monkey is very hungry.
Example conversation
Sofía and Mateo are at the zoo.
- Sofía¡Mira, Mateo! Hay un monito allí.Look, Mateo! There is a little monkey there.
- MateoEs muy pequeño y divertido.It is very small and funny.
- SofíaSí, el monito salta mucho.Yes, the little monkey jumps a lot.
- MateoMe encanta cómo se mueve.I love how it moves.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
