mosquito
standard
The insect is mosquito in Mexican Spanish. In parts of Mexico people also say zancudo for a long-legged mosquito. It is also called moscos.
Meaning: the biting insect (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| mosquito | standard |
| zancudo | regional, Mexico |
| moscos | plural, casual |
You can say Me picó un mosquito ("a mosquito bit me"). The repellent is repelente de insectos and a bed net is a mosquitero.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Zancudo is more common in southern Mexico and Central America. In the north mosquito is more usual.
How do you pronounce it?
Mosquito is said "mos-KEE-to".
Did you know?
- Mosquito means "little fly" in Spanish, since it comes from mosca (fly) with a diminutive ending.
Examples in context
- Me picó un mosquito.A mosquito bit me.
- Hay muchos zancudos en la noche.There are many mosquitoes at night.
- Necesito repelente.I need repellent.
Example conversation
Two campers, Irma and Paco, prepare for the evening in Chiapas.
- IrmaHay muchos mosquitos aquí.There are many mosquitoes here.
- PacoTraje repelente.I brought repellent.
- IrmaQué bueno, pásamelo.Great, pass it to me.
