mamut
/maˈmut/
The Spanish word for mammoth is mamut.
The word mamut can be used as an adjective to describe something that is very large, or as a noun to refer to the elephant-like mammal.
Meaning: very large (adj)
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /maˈmut/.
Did you know?
- The word mamut is borrowed from the French mammouth, which in turn was taken from the Russian mámont.
- In some Spanish-speaking business contexts, a proyecto mamut is not just a large project, but one that is perceived as almost impossible to manage due to its scale.
- Although the word mamut describes a massive creature, it is not the standard adjective for 'huge' or 'giant' in Spanish. Using it to describe an object's size often sounds more like a colorful, poetic metaphor than a everyday description.
Examples in context
- El mamut es un animal fascinante, lástima que se haya extinguido.The mammoth is a fascinating animal. Too bad it's extinct.This sentence is useful for discussing the mammoth as a fascinating, extinct animal.Tatoeba #6151059 by Shishir, translation #9730440 by DJ_Saidez
- En la exposición de fósiles, se encontraron restos de un mamut gigante.At the fossil exhibition, remains of a giant mammoth were found.
- ¡Mira ese mamutito! Es tan tierno y peludo.Look at that little mammoth! It's so cute and furry.
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are looking at a large building.
- AlejandroMira ese edificio, es mamut.Look at that building, it is mammoth.
- MaríaSí, Alejandro, es impresionante.Yes, Alejandro, it is impressive.
- AlejandroMe pregunto cuántas personas caben ahí.I wonder how many people fit in there.
- MaríaSeguro que muchísimas.Surely a huge amount.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry mamut, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mamut, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
