baba
/ˈbaba/feminine
The English word 'slime' can be translated into Spanish as baba or moco.
Meaning: mucilaginous substance or mucus-like substance (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| baba | /ˈbaba/ | feminine |
| moco | /ˈmoko/ | masculine |
Both terms refer to mucilaginous or mucus-like substances. baba is a general term for a slippery coating or drool, while moco is used specifically for nasal mucus.
Which one should you use?
Use baba when referring to general slime or drool. Use moco specifically when you are talking about boogers or the mucus found in the nose.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the term cieno is used to describe a muddy or slimy substance.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of baba is babas, and the plural form of moco is mocos.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbaba/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the phrase soltar la baba can be used metaphorically to describe someone who is completely enamored or infatuated with another person.
- The word baba is thought to be imitative of the way infants babble, mirroring the repetitive sounds children make when learning to speak.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, baba is the specific term used to describe the trail left behind by a snail or slug.
Examples in context
- La baba de caracol es conocida por sus propiedades rejuvenecedoras.Snail slime is known for its rejuvenating properties.
- ¡No toques las babas de la rana, son resbaladizas!Don't touch the slime of the frog, it's slippery!
- El niño se ensució las manos con cieno al jugar cerca del estanque.The child's hands got dirty with slime while playing near the pond.
- La baba de caracol es curativa.Snail slime is healing.
- Cuidado con la baba en el suelo.Watch out for the slime on the floor.
Example conversation
A messy kitchen after a science experiment.
- María¿Qué es esta baba verde en la mesa?What is this green slime on the table?
- AlejandroEs parte de mi experimento, María.It is part of my experiment, María.
- MaríaAlejandro, la baba está por todas partes.Alejandro, the slime is everywhere.
- AlejandroLo siento, la limpiaré ahora mismo.I'm sorry, I will clean it up right now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “slime” translations and entries baba, moco, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries baba, moco, CC BY-SA 4.0.
