ejemplar
“ejemplar” means “exemplary” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
exemplary, model
Also: deterrent
📝 In Action
Juan es un estudiante ejemplar y siempre ayuda a los demás.
A2Juan is a model student and always helps others.
Su conducta durante la crisis fue ejemplar.
B1Her behavior during the crisis was exemplary.
El juez le dio un castigo ejemplar para que nadie repitiera el crimen.
B2The judge gave him a deterrent punishment so that no one would repeat the crime.
copy, issue
Also: specimen
📝 In Action
He comprado un ejemplar de su nueva novela.
A2I have bought a copy of his new novel.
Solo quedan tres ejemplares en toda la biblioteca.
B1There are only three copies left in the whole library.
Vimos un ejemplar de lince ibérico en el bosque.
B2We saw a specimen of the Iberian lynx in the woods.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: ejemplar
Question 1 of 3
If you buy the very last book on the shelf, you bought the last...
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin 'exemplaris', which comes from 'exemplum' (meaning example or pattern). It describes something that follows a pattern or serves as one.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'ejemplo' and 'ejemplar'?
An 'ejemplo' is the general idea of an example (e.g., 'give me an example'). An 'ejemplar' is either an adjective (describing someone as perfect) or a physical copy of something like a book or an animal specimen.
Can 'ejemplar' be used for animals?
Yes! Biologists and nature lovers use it to refer to a specific individual of a species, like saying 'un ejemplar de tigre' (a specimen of a tiger).
Is it a formal word?
It is slightly more formal than 'copia' or 'ejemplo', but it is very common in newspapers, schools, and professional settings.