mirlo
/ˈmiɾlo/
The English word "merle" is translated into Spanish as mirlo.
mirlo refers to the Eurasian blackbird, specifically the species *Turdus merula*.
Meaning: Eurasian blackbird, Turdus merula (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries like Mexico and Colombia, 'zorzal' is occasionally used to refer to a merle-like bird.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈmiɾlo/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the mirlo is often a symbol of solitude or melancholy in poetry, contrasting with the more cheerful associations of other songbirds.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, the mirlo is associated with the arrival of spring, and its song is a common motif in traditional folk poetry to signal rebirth.
- The Spanish word mirlo shares the exact same Latin root, merula, as the English word 'merle', making them distant linguistic cousins.
Examples in context
- El mirlo cantó melodiosamente al amanecer.The merle sang melodiously at dawn.
- Ayer vi un colirrojo en el jardín de mi vecino.Yesterday, I spotted a merle in my neighbor's garden.
- El mirlo canta en el jardín.The blackbird sings in the garden.
- He visto un mirlo en el parque.I saw a blackbird in the park.
- El mirlo tiene un color negro intenso.The blackbird has an intense black color.
Example conversation
Mateo and María are walking through a local park.
- Mateo¡Mira, María! Un mirlo.Look, María! A blackbird.
- MaríaEs muy bonito, Mateo.It is very beautiful, Mateo.
- MateoEl mirlo se está comiendo una baya.The blackbird is eating a berry.
- MaríaQué suerte verlo tan cerca.How lucky to see it so close.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry mirlo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mirlo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
