pececillo de plata
/peθeθiʝo de plata/from spelling rulesmasculine
The English word silverfish is pececillo de plata in Spanish. Wiktionary also lists lepisma.
Meaning: Lepisma saccharina (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| pececillo de plata | /peθeθiʝo de plata/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /pesesiʝo de plata/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
masculine |
| lepisma | /leˈpisma/ | feminine |
The term refers to the insect Lepisma saccharina.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase pececillo de plata literally translates to little fish of silver, which reflects the appearance of the insect.
Which one should you use?
pececillo de plata is the common name used in everyday speech, while lepisma is the technical, scientific name used in biological contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina and Uruguay, the term pescadito de plata is used for silverfish.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural form, add -s to the diminutive to get pececillos de plata. lepisma is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/peθeθiʝo de plata/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the word for silver plata is a linguistic cousin to the English word 'plate'.
- While pececillo de plata describes the insect's color and shape, the scientific term lepisma comes from the Greek word for 'scale', referring to the insect's shimmering skin.
- While 'silver' is often translated as plata, the adjective plateado is more common when describing things that look like silver.
Examples in context
- Encontré un pececillo de plata en el baño.I found a silverfish in the bathroom.
- El tisanuro es un insecto nocturno y sigiloso.The silverfish is a nocturnal and stealthy insect.
- Vi un pececillo de plata en la cocina.I saw a silverfish in the kitchen.
- Ese pececillo de plata es muy rápido.That silverfish is very fast.
- El pececillo de plata vive en lugares húmedos.The silverfish lives in damp places.
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are talking in their living room about a pest.
- Javier¿Viste un pececillo de plata en el libro?Did you see a silverfish in the book?
- ElenaSí, lo vi correr hacia la estantería.Yes, I saw it run toward the shelf.
- JavierTengo que limpiar ese rincón.I have to clean that corner.
- ElenaEs mejor usar un insecticida.It is better to use an insecticide.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “silverfish” translations and entries pececillo de plata, lepisma, 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 de, pececillo, plata, CC BY-SA 4.0.
