espantapájaros
/esˌpantaˈpaxaɾos/masculine
The English word scarecrow is translated into Spanish as espantapájaros or espantajo.
Meaning: effigy fixed to a pole in a field to deter birds from eating crops or seeds planted there (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| espantapájaros | /esˌpantaˈpaxaɾos/ | masculine |
| espantajo | /espanˈtaxo/ | masculine |
A scarecrow is an effigy fixed to a pole in a field to deter birds from eating planted crops or seeds. While both words refer to this object, espantapájaros is the literal and most common term used for this purpose.
Which one should you use?
espantapájaros is the standard term for the agricultural object. In contrast, espantajo can be used figuratively to describe a person who is an ugly person or someone who is poorly dressed.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun espantapájaros is invariable, which means the form remains the same whether you are referring to one scarecrow or multiple scarecrows.
How do you pronounce it?
/esˌpantaˈpaxaɾos/
Did you know?
- While espantapájaros is a literal description, the word espantajo uses a suffix that can imply something clumsy, artificial or superficial.
- The verb espantar is the heart of the word and carries two different weights. It can mean the practical act of scaring birds away from a field, or the psychological feeling of being suddenly startled or terrified.
- The word espantapájaros is a verb-object compound, combining the action 'to scare away' with the target 'birds'.
Examples in context
- Tranquilo, es sólo un espantapájaros.Relax, it's just a scarecrow.This sentence shows how to use espantapájaros to reassure someone that an object is harmless.Tatoeba #547231 by Shishir, translation #522152 by FeuDRenais
- No puedo ahuyentar a los pájaros. No soy un espantapájaros.I cannot scare the birds away. I am not a scarecrow.This sentence uses espantapájaros to contrast a person's ability to scare birds with the object itself.Tatoeba #1687298 by marcelostockle, translation #1687145 by Amastan
- Después de que el espantapájaros empezara a gritar y moverse, espantando a todos los pájaros del jardín y dando a Martín un susto de muerte, se giró, guiñó al niño y le dijo "no te preocupes, siempre podrás contar conmigo, esas malditas aves no se comerán tus plantas".After the scarecrow started to scream and move, frightening away all the birds from the garden and scaring Martin to death, he turned, winked at the boy and said "Don't worry, you can always count on me. Those darn birds won't eat your plants."This sentence uses espantapájaros within a narrative context involving birds and plants.Tatoeba #9935108 by Shishir, translation #9937342 by DJ_Saidez
- El espantapájaros fue colocado en el campo para proteger los cultivos.The scarecrow was placed in the field to protect the crops.
Example conversation
Sofía and Daniel are walking through a rural field.
- SofíaMira ese espantapájaros en el campo.Look at that scarecrow in the field.
- DanielParece muy viejo.It looks very old.
- SofíaSí, pero sirve para proteger las semillas.Yes, but it serves to protect the seeds.
- DanielEs un espantapájaros muy útil.It is a very useful scarecrow.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “scarecrow” translations and entries espantapájaros, espantajo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries espantajo, espantapájaros, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
