pterodáctilo
/teɾoˈdaɡtilo/masculine
The Spanish word for pterodactyl is pterodáctilo.
pterodáctilo is an informal term used to refer to any pterosaur.
Meaning: informal term for any pterosaur (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
To form the plural pterodáctilos, you simply add -s to the end of the word.
How do you pronounce it?
/teɾoˈdaɡtilo/
Did you know?
- The element -dáctilo in pterodáctilo is the same root used in the Spanish word dactiloscopia, which refers to the study of fingerprints.
- The Greek root pterón found in pterodáctilo also appears in the Spanish word pteridología, the study of ferns, which are named for their wing-like spores.
- In Spanish, the letter 'p' in pterodáctilo is fully pronounced, unlike in some other languages where the initial 'p' in Greek-derived words can be silent.
Examples in context
- Ese pterodáctilo tiene alas muy grandes.That pterodactyl has very large wings.
- Dibujé un pterodáctilo en mi cuaderno.I drew a pterodactyl in my notebook.
- ¿Viste el juguete de pterodáctilo?Did you see the pterodactyl toy?
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are looking at a book about dinosaurs.
- Elena¿Es este un pterodáctilo?Is this a pterodactyl?
- JavierSí, es un pterodáctilo muy famoso.Yes, it is a very famous pterodactyl.
- ElenaMe gusta mucho su forma.I really like its shape.
- JavierA mí también me encanta.I love it too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pterodactyl” translations and entries pterodáctilo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
