llama
/ˈʝama/
The English phrase "llama animal" is translated into Spanish as llama.
The term llama refers to a South American camelid characterized by a long neck and woolly fur. When you need to specify the sex of the animal, you can use llama macho for a male llama or llama hembra for a female llama.
Which one should you use?
While llama is the standard term, you may encounter the diminutive llamita, which is used to refer to a baby llama or to express endearment toward one.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʝama/
Did you know?
- Because of its homonymy, a sentence like La llama llama could mean 'The llama calls' or 'The flame calls' depending on the context of the verb.
- While many people assume llama comes from Latin, the word for the animal was actually borrowed from the indigenous Quechua language of the Andes.
- In some Andean cultures, the llama is historically used as a sacred animal and is central to traditional weaving rituals.
Examples in context
- Ayer vi una llama en el zoológicoYesterday, I saw a llama at the zoo.
- Mi vecino tiene una llamacita de mascotaMy neighbor has a baby llama as a pet.
- Vamos a visitar una granja de llamas este fin de semanaWe're going to visit a llama farm this weekend.
- La llama es un animal muy fuerte.The llama is a very strong animal.
- Vi una llama en el zoológico.I saw a llama at the zoo.
- Esa llama tiene mucha lana.That llama has a lot of wool.
Example conversation
Mateo and María are looking at a picture book about South America.
- Mateo¿Qué animal es este, María?What animal is this, María?
- MaríaEs una llama.It is a llama.
- MateoEs muy bonita la llama.The llama is very pretty.
- MaríaSí, es muy especial.Yes, it is very special.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry llama, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries llama, CC BY-SA 4.0.
