orangután
/oɾanɡuˈtan/masculine
The Spanish word for orangutan is orangután.
This noun refers to an arboreal anthropoid ape.
Meaning: arboreal anthropoid ape (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The word orangután is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/oɾanɡuˈtan/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word preserves the Malay roots of 'orang' meaning 'person' and 'utan' meaning 'forest', making the word a literal descriptor of a 'forest person'.
- In Spanish, orangután belongs to the broader group of simios, but the word mono is used colloquially for any primate including apes.
- Because the word ends in a consonant other than 'n' or 's', the accent mark is mandatory to indicate that the stress falls on the last syllable.
Examples in context
- El orangután es un primate muy inteligente.The orangutan is a very intelligent primate.
- El orangután vive en la selva.The orangutan lives in the jungle.
- Vi un orangután en el zoológico.I saw an orangutan at the zoo.
- Ese orangután es muy grande.That orangutan is very big.
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are looking at a nature documentary on TV.
- MateoMira ese orangután, es increíble.Look at that orangutan, it is incredible.
- SofíaSí, el orangután tiene un color naranja muy bonito.Yes, the orangutan has a very beautiful orange color.
- MateoMe encanta cómo se mueve el animal.I love how the animal moves.
- SofíaEs un ser muy inteligente, Mateo.It is a very intelligent being, Mateo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “orangutan” translations and entries orangután, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries orangután, CC BY-SA 4.0.
