bichos
/BEE-chohs/
bugs
In Spanish, 'bichos' often refers to general insects or small crawling creatures.
bichos(noun)
bugs
?general insects or small creatures
,critters
?small animals
insects
?scientific but used informally
📝 In Action
Hay muchos bichos en el jardín durante el verano.
A2There are many bugs in the garden during the summer.
¡Cuidado! No pises esos bichos.
A2Watch out! Don't step on those critters.
💡 Grammar Points
Making it plural
To talk about more than one 'bicho', we just add an 's' at the end. It always stays masculine, even if the bugs are technically female.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Insecto vs. Bicho
Mistake: "Using 'insecto' in a casual conversation at a picnic."
Correction: Use 'bicho' for a more natural, everyday feel. 'Insecto' sounds like you are in a science class.
⭐ Usage Tips
General use
You can use this for spiders, beetles, ants, or even small lizards! It's the perfect 'catch-all' word for small things that crawl.
The word 'bichos' can also be used affectionately to describe mischievous children or rascals.
bichos(noun)
rascals
?mischievous children
,little monsters
?playful but annoying kids
pests
?annoying people
📝 In Action
Tus hijos son unos bichos, no paran quietos.
B1Your kids are such rascals; they don't sit still.
💡 Grammar Points
Describing people
When calling people 'bichos', you usually use the word 'unos' before it (unos bichos) to mean 'some real rascals'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Tone matters
This can be affectionate (like 'little rascals') or slightly negative depending on your tone of voice.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: bichos
Question 1 of 2
If someone calls a child 'un bicho', what do they most likely mean?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'bichos' always a bad thing to say?
Not at all! When referring to insects, it's totally neutral. When referring to kids, it's often used in a joking or slightly frustrated way, similar to calling someone a 'handful'.
What is a 'bicho raro'?
It's the Spanish equivalent of calling someone an 'oddball' or a 'weirdo', but it's not always an insult—sometimes it's just used for someone who is unique.