gorrión
/ɡoˈrjon/
The Spanish word for sparrow is gorrión.
gorrión is used as a generic term for any small, nondescript bird.
Meaning: generically, any small, nondescript bird (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of gorrión is gorriones.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡoˈrjon/
Did you know?
- The origin of gorrión is a linguistic mystery, as scholars cannot agree if it mimics the bird's sound or stems from the Basque word for 'red'.
- In certain poetic contexts in Spanish literature, gorrión is often used as a symbol of the humble or the common man, contrasting with more 'noble' birds like eagles.
- In Spanish, the word gorrión can be used in expressions to describe something insignificant or trivial, similar to the English 'small fry'.
Examples in context
- No se oía ni un solo gorrión.Not a single sparrow was to be heard.Tatoeba #5848069 by albrusgher, translation #51984 by Dejo
- Ese pájaro probablemente es un gorrión.That bird is probably a sparrow.Tatoeba #13850710 by Seael, translation #6558448 by sundown
- Apunté a un gorrión, pero abatí una oca.I aimed at a sparrow, but shot down a goose.Tatoeba #5828454 by albrusgher, translation #2169009 by FeuDRenais2
- ¡Mira ese gorrión allá en el árbol!Look at that sparrow over there!
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and María are sitting in a park watching birds.
- JavierMira ese pequeño gorrión en la rama.Look at that little sparrow on the branch.
- MaríaEs muy bonito, Javier.It is very pretty, Javier.
- Javier¿Crees que es un gorrión común?Do you think it is a common sparrow?
- MaríaParece que sí, es muy pequeño.It looks like it, it is very small.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry gorrión, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gorrión, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
