mantis
/ˈmantis/feminine
The English word "mantis" is translated into Spanish as mantis. If unsure, use mantis. Wiktionary also lists mantis religiosa and santateresa.
Meaning: any of various large insects of the order Mantodea (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| mantis | /ˈmantis/ | feminine |
| mantis religiosa | /mantis ɾelixjosa/ (from spelling rules) | |
| santateresa | /santateɾesa/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| (South América) mamboretá | feminine | |
| mantodeo | /mantodeo/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| campamocha | /kampamot͡ʃa/ (from spelling rules) | Mexico, feminine |
The term refers to any of the various large insects belonging to the order Mantodea.
Which one should you use?
While mantis is the general term, mantis religiosa specifically refers to the praying mantis. The masculine form mantodeo is used to refer to the insect order Mantodea.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the colloquial term campamocha is used. In parts of South America, the term mamboretá is used to refer to a mantis.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun mantis is feminine. Consequently, it must be used with feminine articles and adjectives, such as la mantis.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈmantis/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, a mantis is called santateresa, which translates to 'Saint Teresa'.
- The term mamboretá is actually a loanword from the Guarani language used in Paraguay.
- In Spanish, the word mantis is strictly feminine, meaning you must always say la mantis even if the specific insect is male.
Examples in context
- Mami, ¿por qué no tenemos padre? preguntó la pequeña mantis religiosa."Mom, why don't we have a father?", asked the little praying mantis.This sentence shows the use of mantis in a dialogue about a praying mantis.Tatoeba #10288666 by Seael, translation #6069550 by maaster
- La mantis hembra devora al macho tras la cópula.The female mantis devours the male after copulation.This sentence uses mantis to describe the behavior of a female insect.Tatoeba #10979459 by carlosalberto, translation #10979472 by carlosalberto
- Después de realizar la cópula, la mantis religiosa suele devorar al macho.After realizing copulation, the female praying mantis usually devours the male.This sentence illustrates the behavior of a praying mantis using mantis.Tatoeba #2233955 by JLGQ_, translation #2234026 by JLGQ_
- Ayer encontré una mantis en el jardín. ¡Era muy bonita!Yesterday, I found a mantis in the garden. It was very beautiful!
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Daniel are looking at a garden.
- LucíaMira, hay una mantis en esa hoja.Look, there is a mantis on that leaf.
- DanielEs increíble cómo se queda quieta.It's incredible how it stays still.
- LucíaLa mantis es un cazador muy eficiente.The mantis is a very efficient hunter.
- DanielTienes razón, es impresionante.You are right, it is impressive.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mantis” translations and entries mantis, mantis religiosa, santateresa, mantodeo, campamocha, 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 mamboretá, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
