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cocodrilo

koh-koh-DREE-loh/kokoˈðɾilo/

“cocodrilo” means “crocodile” in Spanish (large aquatic reptile).

crocodile

Also: crocodile leather
NounmA2
A green crocodile with a long snout and scaly skin resting on a riverbank near blue water.

📝 In Action

El cocodrilo vive en los ríos de África.

A1

The crocodile lives in the rivers of Africa.

Ten cuidado, los cocodrilos son nadadores muy rápidos.

A2

Be careful, crocodiles are very fast swimmers.

Ella lleva unos zapatos hechos de piel de cocodrilo.

B1

She is wearing shoes made of crocodile skin.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • caimán (alligator)

Common Collocations

  • piel de cocodrilo – crocodile skin
  • lágrimas de cocodrilo – crocodile tears (fake tears)

Idioms & Expressions

  • llorar lágrimas de cocodrilo – To pretend to be sad or to cry fake tears to trick someone.

Vocabulary Collections

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "cocodrilo" in Spanish:

crocodile→crocodile leather→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: cocodrilo

Question 1 of 3

Which of these is the correct way to talk about a female crocodile?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
cocodriliano(crocodilian) — Adjective
cocodrilero(crocodile hunter or leather dealer) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'crocodilus', which came from the Greek 'krokódilos', originally meaning 'lizard'. Over time, the letters 'r' and 'o' switched places in Spanish to make it easier to say.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: crocodileFrench: crocodileItalian: coccodrillo

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'cocodrilo' used for both alligators and crocodiles?

Technically no, 'caimán' is for alligators. However, in casual Spanish, many people use 'cocodrilo' for any large reptile of that family.

How do I pronounce the 'dr' sound in 'cocodrilo'?

Try to let your tongue tap quickly against the roof of your mouth, similar to the 'tt' in the English word 'better'.

Are there cocodrilos in Spain?

No, crocodiles are not native to Spain. They are found in tropical regions of Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Americas.