mariposa monarca
/maɾiposa monaɾka/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'monarch butterfly' is translated into Spanish as mariposa monarca.
mariposa monarca is the most common and widely recognized way to say 'monarch butterfly' in Spanish.
Meaning: Danaus plexippus (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase follows the Spanish noun-adjective order and is composed of mariposa (butterfly) and monarca (monarch).
How does it change in a sentence?
When pluralizing the phrase to say 'the monarch butterflies', both the noun mariposa and the adjective monarca must take the plural form, resulting in las mariposas monarcas.
How do you pronounce it?
/maɾiposa monaɾka/
Did you know?
- One theory suggests mariposa comes from the phrase María pósate, meaning 'Mary, alight!' This reflects an ancient belief that butterflies were the souls of the dead and were addressed as the Virgin Mary.
- In Mexico, the arrival of the mariposa monarca in early spring is traditionally seen as a sign that the souls of ancestors are returning to visit their families.
- Beyond insects, the word mariposa is used colloquially in some regions to describe a person who is flighty or unable to commit to one thing.
Examples in context
- En el bosque de México, puedes ver la majestuosa mariposa monarca volando de flor en flor.In the forests of Mexico, you can see the majestic monarch butterfly fluttering from flower to flower.
- La mariposa monarca migra cada año.The monarch butterfly migrates every year.
- La mariposa monarca es muy hermosa.The monarch butterfly is very beautiful.
- Vi una mariposa monarca en el jardín.I saw a monarch butterfly in the garden.
- La migración de la mariposa monarca es increíble.The migration of the monarch butterfly is incredible.
Example conversation
Daniel and María are looking at a nature book in the park.
- Daniel¿Qué es este insecto naranja, María?What is this orange insect, María?
- MaríaEs una mariposa monarca.It is a monarch butterfly.
- DanielEs una mariposa monarca muy grande.It is a very large monarch butterfly.
- MaríaSí, Daniel, es muy impresionante.Yes, Daniel, it is very impressive.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mariposa, monarca, CC BY-SA 4.0.
