ardilla
/ar-DEE-yah/
squirrel
Ardilla: A small climbing animal with a bushy tail.
ardilla(noun)
squirrel
?the small climbing animal with a bushy tail
chipmunk
?sometimes used loosely for similar small rodents
π In Action
Vi una ardilla saltando entre los Γ‘rboles del parque.
A1I saw a squirrel jumping between the trees in the park.
Las ardillas guardan nueces para el invierno.
A2Squirrels store nuts for the winter.
Esa ardilla tiene la cola muy larga y gris.
A1That squirrel has a very long, gray tail.
π‘ Grammar Points
Always Feminine
The word 'ardilla' is always feminine, regardless of whether the animal is male or female. You always say 'la ardilla'.
β Common Pitfalls
Avoid 'Ardillo'
Mistake: "Using 'el ardillo' to refer to a male squirrel."
Correction: Always use 'la ardilla'. If you need to specify it is male, say 'la ardilla macho'.
β Usage Tips
Describing People
In some regions, calling someone 'una ardilla' means they are very agile or they learn things very quickly.
Ardilla: Someone very active or restless, like a busy bee.
ardilla(noun)
busy bee
?describing someone very active or restless
whiz
?someone who is very sharp or quick-witted
π In Action
Tu sobrino es una ardilla; no para quieto ni un segundo.
B2Your nephew is a busy bee; he doesn't stay still for a second.
π‘ Grammar Points
Using 'una' with Boys
Even when describing a boy or a man, you still use the feminine form 'una ardilla' because the noun itself doesn't change gender.
βοΈ Quick Practice
π‘ Quick Quiz: ardilla
Question 1 of 2
If you see a male squirrel, how should you refer to it?
π More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'ardilla' used for both squirrels and chipmunks?
While 'ardilla' technically means squirrel, many people use it generally for any small, bushy-tailed rodent. For a specific chipmunk, you would use 'ardilla listada' (striped squirrel).
Why is it 'la ardilla' even if the animal is a boy?
In Spanish, some animals have only one gender for the word itself. This is similar to how we say 'the person' in English for both men and women. To specify, you just add the word for male (macho) or female (hembra).