cochinillas
/kot͡ʃiniʝas/from spelling rules
The English phrase "rolly pollies" is translated into Spanish as cochinillas.
cochinillas is used to refer to the small land-dwelling crustaceans that roll into a ball when touched. In some contexts, the term is also used more broadly to refer to scale insects.
What does it mean word for word?
The singular form cochinilla is a diminutive of cochino (pig), which literally means "little pig".
How do you pronounce it?
/kotʃiniʝas/
Did you know?
- The red food coloring known as carmine is derived from an insect also called cochinilla. This links a common garden scavenger to the dyes used in luxury cosmetics and foods.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, calling a person a cochinilla is a slang way to describe them as dirty or unhygienic.
- In some parts of Spain, children may call these creatures bichos bola instead of using the formal term. This literally translates to 'ball bugs' and describes their movement rather than their biological classification.
Examples in context
- Hay muchas cochinillas en el jardín.There are many rolly pollies in the garden.
- Las cochinillas se hacen bolita.The rolly pollies curl into a ball.
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are looking at the ground in a park.
- JavierElena, mira estas cochinillas bajo la piedra.Elena, look at these rolly pollies under the stone.
- Elena¡Qué lindas! ¿Se mueven rápido?How cute! Do they move fast?
- JavierSí, pero las cochinillas se encogen si las tocas.Yes, but rolly pollies curl up if you touch them.
- ElenaEs fascinante cómo hacen eso.It's fascinating how they do that.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
