tortuga
general, Mexico
The Mexican Spanish word for turtle is tortuga. It is feminine and used for land, freshwater and sea turtles alike. For a sea turtle you can add marina, as in tortuga marina.
Meaning: reptile with a shell (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| tortuga | general, Mexico |
| tortuga marina | sea turtle |
Say la tortuga for the animal and add de agua or de tierra when you need to be specific.
Which one should you use?
Mexican Spanish uses the same word as most of the Spanish world, so nothing changes here.
When do people say it?
Many Mexican beaches have a campamento tortuguero, a camp that protects nesting sea turtles and their eggs.
Did you know?
- In Mexico a tortuga also appears in the name of Tortugas Ninja, the same word used for the cartoon heroes.
Examples in context
- Vi una tortuga en la playa.I saw a turtle on the beach.
- La tortuga marina puso sus huevos anoche.The sea turtle laid her eggs last night.
- Mi hijo tiene una tortuga de tierra.My son has a land turtle.
Example conversation
Ana and her father walk along a beach in Oaxaca at dawn.
- AnaPapá, mira, una tortuga.Dad, look, a turtle.
- PapáEs una tortuga marina, no la toques.It is a sea turtle, do not touch it.
- Ana¿Va hacia el mar?Is she going to the sea?
- PapáSí, ya terminó de poner sus huevos.Yes, she has finished laying her eggs.
