Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| buitre | /ˈbwitɾe/ | masculine |
| zopilote | /θopiˈlote/ /sopiˈlote/ |
masculine |
| sopilote | /sopilote/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| gallinazo | /ɡaʝiˈnaθo/ | masculine |
| samuro | /samuɾo/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| zamuro | /θaˈmuɾo/ /saˈmuɾo/ |
masculine |
| jote | /ˈxote/ | masculine |
| urubú | /uɾuˈbu/ | masculine |
The term refers to the scavenging bird. In a metaphorical sense, buitre is used in the phrase fondo buitre to describe predatory investment funds.
Which one should you use?
While buitre is the standard term, many regional variations exist depending on the specific bird or location. In formal contexts, you may encounter the phrase ave de rapiña (bird of prey) to refer to these animals.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Spanish speakers use several different terms for vulture depending on their location: zopilote and sopilote are common in Mexico and Central America. In Colombia and parts of South America, gallinazo is frequently used. In Venezuela and parts of the Caribbean, zamuro or samuro are the common terms. In Spain, aura is an alternative word used to describe a vulture. jote and urubú are also forms used for this bird.
How does it change in a sentence?
All forms of the word provided are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbwitɾe/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, calling someone a buitre implies they are waiting for someone to fail or die to take advantage of the situation.
- The Mexican term zopilote is a direct linguistic descendant of the Nahuatl word tzopīlōtl, meaning the word itself carries the ancient history of the Aztec language.
Examples in context
- fondo buitreVulture fundThis example shows the use of buitre in the financial term for a vulture fund.
- ¡Mira ese buitre planeando en el aire!Look at that vulture gliding in the air!
- El zopilote está posado en la rama del árbol.The vulture is perched on the tree branch.
- El buitre vuela muy alto.The vulture flies very high.
- Vi un buitre en el campo.I saw a vulture in the field.
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are walking through a nature reserve.
- MateoMira ese buitre en el árbol.Look at that vulture in the tree.
- SofíaEs un buitre muy grande.It is a very large vulture.
- MateoParece que está descansando.It looks like it is resting.
- SofíaSí, es impresionante verlo.Yes, it is impressive to see it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “vulture” translations and entries buitre, zopilote, gallinazo, zamuro, jote, urubú, 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 buitre, gallinazo, zopilote, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
