acertijo
/aθeɾˈtixo/masculine
The English word riddle is translated into Spanish as acertijo. Wiktionary also lists adivinanza and cosicosa.
Meaning: verbal puzzle (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| acertijo | /aθeɾˈtixo/ /aseɾˈtixo/ |
masculine |
| adivinanza | /adibiˈnanθa/ /adibiˈnansa/ |
feminine |
| cosicosa | /kosikosa/ (from spelling rules) | feminine, informal |
| enigma | /eˈniɡma/ | masculine |
| quisicosa | /kisiˈkosa/ | feminine, informal |
| quesiqués | /kesikes/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
You typically use the verb resolver (to solve) or descifrar (to decipher) when talking about solving a riddle.
Which one should you use?
acertijo often refers to a complex or intellectual puzzle. In contrast, adivinanza is the specific term used for the traditional rhyming riddles often played with children. Furthermore, enigma is used for more profound, mysterious or abstract puzzles, often in a literary or investigative context, rather than a playful game.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
enigma is a formal way to say riddle. The words cosicosa and quisicosa are informal feminine nouns, and quesiqués is a masculine noun.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of the masculine noun acertijo is acertijos. The plural of the feminine noun adivinanza is adivinanzas.
How do you pronounce it?
/aθeɾˈtixo/
Did you know?
- In traditional Spanish children's games, adivinanzas often begin with the phrase Veo, veo, which translates to 'I see, I see'.
- While adivinanza is used for riddles, the root verb adivinar also means 'to predict' or 'to divine' the future.
- The word enigma has traveled through Latin and Ancient Greek, where it originally meant a 'dark saying'.
Examples in context
- Sus planes son un acertijo.His plans are a riddle.This sentence uses the form acertijo to describe plans as a riddle.Tatoeba #1142326 by marcelostockle, translation #1142327 by marcelostockle
- ¿Sabes resolver este acertijo?Can you answer this riddle?This sentence uses the form acertijo to ask if someone can answer a riddle.Tatoeba #769486 by Shishir, translation #60750 by CK
- Nadie fue capaz de resolver el acertijo.No one was ever able to solve the riddle.This sentence uses the form acertijo to state that no one could solve the riddle.Tatoeba #1349342 by marcelostockle, translation #682047 by Source_VOA
- ¿Qué tiene ojos y no ve, cuerpo y no tiene ni cabeza ni pie?What has eyes but cannot see, a body but has neither head nor foot?
- Te propongo un acertijo: Soy redonda como el sol y todos me comen. ¿Quién soy?I propose a riddle: I am round like the sun, and everyone eats me. Who am I?
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are sitting in a cafe.
- DanielElena, ¿puedes resolver este acertijo?Elena, can you solve this riddle?
- ElenaNo, parece un acertijo muy complicado.No, it looks like a very complicated riddle.
- DanielEs solo un acertijo de lógica.It is just a logic riddle.
- Elena¡Ah, ya entiendo el acertijo!Ah, I understand the riddle now!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “riddle” translations and entries acertijo, adivinanza, enigma, quisicosa, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries acertijo, adivinanza, enigma, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
