mosquito
standard
The standard Spanish word is mosquito. In much of Latin America, including Mexico, Colombia and Venezuela, people also call it zancudo, meaning "long legged one".
Meaning: biting insect (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| mosquito | standard |
| zancudo | Latin America, Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela |
The two words are both masculine: el mosquito and el zancudo. Plural forms are mosquitos and zancudos.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Zancudo is common in Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Central America and Chile. In Spain people nearly always say mosquito.
Did you know?
- Zancudo comes from zanco, a word for a long leg or stilt, which is why it fits the insect.
Examples in context
- Me picó un mosquito.A mosquito bit me.
- Hay muchos zancudos en la noche.There are many mosquitoes at night.
- Pon el repelente contra los zancudos.Put on repellent against mosquitoes.
Example conversation
Evening on a patio in Barranquilla, Lucho slaps his arm.
- LuchoUy, me picó un zancudo.Ouch, a mosquito bit me.
- CarmenToma el repelente, hay muchos hoy.Take the repellent, there are many today.
- LuchoMejor entremos a la casa.Better go into the house.
