flamenco
/flaˈmenko/masculine
The English word flamingo is translated into Spanish as flamenco.
The word refers to the species of bird. When you want to specify a pink flamingo, you can say flamenco rosado.
Meaning: bird (noun)
Which one should you use?
Be careful with the word flamenco, as it is a false friend. In English, 'flamenco' refers to a specific Spanish dance style, but in Spanish, flamenco is the name of the bird.
How do you pronounce it?
/flaˈmenko/
Did you know?
- While the English word 'flamingo' comes from Portuguese, the Spanish flamenco actually traces its roots back to the Dutch word Vlaming, which refers to a person from Flanders.
- The word flamenco can be used to describe a person with a 'fiery' or 'passionate' temperament, quite different from the bird it names.
- Because flamenco also means 'from Flanders', a Spanish speaker might use the word in a historical context to refer to the Low Countries of Europe.
Examples in context
- ¡Mira ese flamenco!Look at that flamingo!
- El flamenco rosado es conocido por su plumaje vibranteThe pink flamingo is known for its vibrant plumage.
- El flamenco es de color rosa.The flamingo is pink.
- Vi un flamenco en el lago.I saw a flamingo in the lake.
- Ese flamenco tiene patas muy largas.That flamingo has very long legs.
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are watching birds at a nature reserve.
- Lucía¡Mira, Mateo! ¡Un flamenco!Look, Mateo! A flamingo!
- MateoEs muy hermoso, Lucía.It is very beautiful, Lucía.
- Lucía¿Cuántos flamencos ves allí?How many flamingos do you see over there?
- MateoSolo veo uno.I only see one.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “flamingo” translations and entries flamenco, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries flamenco, CC BY-SA 4.0.
