llama
/ˈʝama/feminine
The Spanish word for "llama" is llama. Wiktionary also lists llamingo.
Meaning: South American mammal of the camel family, Lama glama (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| llama | /ˈʝama/ | feminine |
| llamingo | /ʝaminɡo/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
llama refers to the South American mammal of the camel family (*Lama glama*). In formal, scientific or academic contexts, one might use the phrase Camélido sudamericano de la familia Camelidae.
Which one should you use?
While llama is the noun used for the animal, it is important to note that llama is also the third-person singular present form of the verb llamar (to call).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʝama/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the word for 'flame' is llama, which shares the same spelling and pronunciation as the animal.
- In Spanish, the name of this animal is actually a loanword from Quechua, the language of the Inca Empire.
- In some Andean regions, the word llama is not just a label for the animal but is tied to ancient spiritual beliefs where they were seen as messengers of the gods.
Examples in context
- ¿Eso es una llama?Is that a llama?Tatoeba #4710479 by DarkHollow, translation #1825390 by pne
- La llama que llama.The llama that calls.This sentence demonstrates the word llama being used as both a noun (the animal) and a verb (the action of calling).Tatoeba #5011854 by don_ramon, translation #10255444 by LimeGreenTeknii
- ¿Es una llama?Is it a llama?Tatoeba #4998452 by don_ramon, translation #773429 by marloncori
- ¡Mira esa llama tan bonita!Look at that beautiful llama!
- Hoy en la granja vi una llama de cerca.Today I saw a llama up close on the farm.
- Los niños disfrutaron alimentando a las llamas en el zoológico.The children enjoyed feeding the llamas at the zoo.
- En Perú, es común encontrar llamas en las tierras altas.In Peru, it is common to find llamas in the highlands.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are visiting a farm in the Andes.
- DanielMira esa llama blanca.Look at that white llama.
- SofíaEs muy bonita la llama.The llama is very pretty.
- DanielLa llama tiene mucha lana.The llama has a lot of wool.
- SofíaSí, esa llama es especial.Yes, that llama is special.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “llama” translations and entries llama, 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.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries llama, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
