pájaro carpintero
/ˌpaxaɾo kaɾpinˈteɾo/masculine
The English phrase "woodpecker" is translated into Spanish as pájaro carpintero. If unsure, use pájaro carpintero. Wiktionary also lists pito and picamaderos.
Meaning: bird in Picidae (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| pájaro carpintero | /ˌpaxaɾo kaɾpinˈteɾo/ | masculine |
| pito | /ˈpito/ | masculine |
| picamaderos | /ˌpikamaˈdeɾos/ | masculine |
| carpinterito | /kaɾpinteˈɾito/ | masculine |
| picatroncos | /pikatɾonkos/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| cheje | /t͡ʃexe/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| picapinos | /pikaˈpinos/ | masculine |
| cerequeque | /θeɾekeke/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /seɾekeke/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
masculine |
The term refers to any bird in the Picidae family.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase pájaro carpintero literally means "carpenter bird".
Which one should you use?
Pájaro carpintero is the standard, most widely understood term for a woodpecker across the Spanish-speaking world. The form carpinterito is a diminutive used to mean "little woodpecker".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the term picapinos is also used to refer to a woodpecker.
How does it change in a sentence?
All forms provided are masculine nouns. The form carpinterito uses the diminutive suffix -ito to indicate smallness.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌpaxaɾo kaɾpinˈteɾo/
Did you know?
- The word pito is a common name for a woodpecker in some regions, but it is also the standard Spanish word for a 'whistle' or a 'cigarette'.
- The word pájaro descends from a Latin term that originally meant 'sparrow'.
- The term cheje is a highly specific regional name that does not follow the more common 'carpenter' or 'peck' patterns used in other Spanish dialects.
Examples in context
- "¿Aquello es un pájaro carpintero?" "No, es un colibrí.""Is that a woodpecker?" "No, it's a hummingbird."This sentence is useful for identifying whether a bird is a pájaro carpintero or a hummingbird.Tatoeba #2935595 by hayastan, translation #10613549 by sangelo
- El pájaro carpintero está alimentando a su pareja.The woodpecker is feeding its mate.This sentence is useful for describing the behavior of a pájaro carpintero feeding its mate.Tatoeba #1205269 by nancy, translation #1205605 by AlanF_US
- Entonces, ayer logré ver un pájaro carpintero en el bosque.So, yesterday I managed to spot a woodpecker in the forest.
Example conversation
Lucía and Daniel are walking in a park.
- LucíaMira ese pájaro carpintero en el árbol.Look at that woodpecker in the tree.
- Daniel¡Es increíble cómo golpea la madera!It's incredible how it hits the wood!
- LucíaEl pájaro carpintero busca insectos para comer.The woodpecker is looking for insects to eat.
- DanielTienes razón, Lucía, es muy activo.You are right, Lucía, it is very active.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “woodpecker” translations and entries pájaro carpintero, pito, picamaderos, carpinterito, picatroncos, cheje, picapinos, 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 carpinterito, carpintero, picamaderos, pito, pájaro, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
