duendecillo
/dwendeˈθiʝo/
The Spanish word for pixie is duendecillo.
duendecillo is used to describe a playful, sprite-like or fairy-like creature.
Meaning: playful sprite or elflike or fairy-like creature (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the word Trasgo is commonly used to refer to a creature similar to a pixie. Additionally, in some colloquial contexts, Chapulín (which means grasshopper) can be used to refer to a small creature or a pixie-like being.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural form, pixies, use duendecillos.
How do you pronounce it?
/dwendeˈθiʝo/
Did you know?
- In Spanish folklore, some duendes are believed to be the spirits of children who died before being baptized.
- The root word duende refers not just to a creature, but also to a mysterious, soul-stirring charm or spirit found in Spanish art and flamenco.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, a duende is not just a fairy tale but a household spirit that can be blamed for misplacing keys or hiding small objects.
Examples in context
- un trasgo traviesoa mischievous pixie
- un hada juguetonaa playful fairy
- Ese duendecillo es muy travieso.That little pixie is very mischievous.
- Vi un duendecillo en el jardín.I saw a little pixie in the garden.
- El duendecillo tiene alas brillantes.The little pixie has shiny wings.
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are looking at a children's storybook.
- Javier¿Ves a ese duendecillo en el dibujo?Do you see that little pixie in the drawing?
- ElenaSí, es un duendecillo muy pequeño.Yes, it is a very small little pixie.
- JavierParece un duendecillo de un cuento de hadas.It looks like a pixie from a fairy tale.
- ElenaEs muy tierno, Javier.It is very cute, Javier.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry duendecillo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.