mantarraya
/mantaˈraʝa/feminine
The English phrase "manta ray" is translated into Spanish as mantarraya. Wiktionary also lists manta gigante.
Meaning: any of several very large pelagic rays (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| mantarraya | /mantaˈraʝa/ | feminine |
| manta gigante | /ˌmanta xiˈɡante/ | feminine |
The term refers to any of several very large pelagic rays.
What does it mean word for word?
The word mantarraya is a compound of manta (blanket/cloak) and raya (ray).
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the noun mantarraya plural, add -s to the end.
How do you pronounce it?
/mantaˈraʝa/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the word manta refers to a blanket, which describes the flat, wide shape of the fish. This is similar to how the English word 'manta' was borrowed directly from Spanish.
- In Spanish, the word raya is used for the fish, but it also serves as a common term for a 'line' or a 'border' between territories.
- While mantarraya is the formal term, people in coastal Latin American regions often drop the second half of the word and simply say manta.
Examples in context
- Como se puede observar en este acuario, esa raya manta es realmente impresionante.As you can see in this aquarium, that manta ray is truly impressive.
- ¿Alguna vez has buceado junto a una raya manta?Have you ever scuba dived with a manta ray?
- ¡Mira qué hermosa es esa manta nadando en el océano!Look how beautiful that manta ray swimming in the ocean is!
- La mantarraya es impresionante.The manta ray is impressive.
- Vimos una mantarraya en el océano.We saw a manta ray in the ocean.
- Esa mantarraya es muy grande.That manta ray is very large.
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are watching a nature documentary on TV.
- JavierMira esa mantarraya, Sofía.Look at that manta ray, Sofía.
- Sofía¡Qué hermosa es la mantarraya!How beautiful the manta ray is!
- JavierEs un animal fascinante.It is a fascinating animal.
- SofíaMe gustaría verla en el mar.I would like to see it in the sea.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “manta ray” translations and entries mantarraya, manta gigante, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gigante, manta, mantarraya, CC BY-SA 4.0.
