bicha
/ˈbit͡ʃa/feminine
The English word mermaid is translated into Spanish as bicha. Wiktionary also lists bestión.
Meaning: mythological woman with a fish’s tail (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| bicha | /ˈbit͡ʃa/ | feminine |
| bestión | /besˈtjon/ | masculine |
The term refers to a mythological woman with a fish's tail.
Which one should you use?
The feminine form bicha is used for the mermaid, while the masculine form bestión is also provided in this context.
How does it change in a sentence?
bicha is a feminine noun and bestión is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈbitʃa/.
Did you know?
- While bicha can mean 'mermaid' in certain folk contexts, it is also a very common, informal word for 'bug' or 'insect' in several Latin American countries.
- While bicha is used here for a mermaid, the most common word for mermaid across the Spanish-speaking world is sirena.
- The word bicha stems from the Latin bēstia, meaning 'beast', which connects the mermaid to a sense of wild or untamed nature rather than just beauty.
Examples in context
- Me encanta la historia de la sirena que vive en las profundidades del océano.I love the story of the mermaid who lives in the depths of the ocean.
- Mi sobrina siempre ha soñado con ser una sirenita y nadar en el mar.My niece has always dreamed of being a little mermaid and swimming in the sea.
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are looking at a statue in a park.
- JavierMira, Lucía, ¡aquella estatua es una bicha!Look, Lucía, that statue is a mermaid!
- LucíaEs verdad, tiene una cola muy larga.It is true, she has a very long tail.
- Javier¿Crees que las bichas existen de verdad?Do you think mermaids actually exist?
- LucíaNo, Javier, son solo leyendas.No, Javier, they are just legends.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mermaid” translations and entries bicha, bestión, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bestión, bicha, CC BY-SA 4.0.
