especie

/es-PEH-syeh/

kind

Three distinct groups of colored shapes (circles, squares, triangles) separated into different piles, illustrating categorization.

Especie can mean 'kind' or 'category', like sorting objects by shape and color.

especie(Noun)

fA2

kind

a category of something

sort

a type or variety

type

a class of items

📝 In Action

En el parque vi una especie de pájaro que no conocía.

In the park I saw a kind of bird I didn't know.

Siento una especie de alegría y nervios al mismo tiempo.

I feel a sort of joy and nervousness at the same time.

¿Qué especie de problemas tienes?

What kind of problems do you have?

Word Connections

Synonyms

tipo (type)
clase (class, kind)

Common Collocations

una especie de – a kind of / a sort of
toda especie de – all kinds of

💡 Grammar Points

Always Feminine: 'La Especie'

No matter what you're talking about, the word 'especie' itself is always feminine. So, you'll always say 'una especie de...' or 'la especie', never 'un especie'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

'Especie' vs. 'Especia'

Mistake: "Me encanta la comida con muchas especies."

Correction: Me encanta la comida con muchas especias. 'Especie' means kind/type, while 'especia' (usually plural, 'especias') means 'spice'.

⭐ Usage Tips

Your Go-To Word for 'Kind Of'

The phrase 'una especie de...' is perfect when you can't find the exact word for something, just like saying 'a sort of...' or 'a type of...' in English. It makes you sound more natural and less like you're searching for a word.

A brown domestic dog sitting next to a striped house cat, highlighting two distinct biological groups.

In biology, especie translates to 'species', referring to a distinct group of organisms.

especie(Noun)

fB1

species

biology, zoology

📝 In Action

El panda es una especie en peligro de extinción.

The panda is an endangered species.

En esta isla viven varias especies de tortugas marinas.

Several species of sea turtles live on this island.

Los biólogos descubrieron una nueva especie de insecto.

Biologists discovered a new species of insect.

Word Connections

Synonyms

raza (breed, race)
género (genus)

Common Collocations

especie en peligro de extinción – endangered species
especie invasora – invasive species
especie nativa – native species

💡 Grammar Points

Singular and Plural

Just like in English, you can talk about 'una especie' (one species) or 'muchas especies' (many species). The word changes from singular to plural.

⭐ Usage Tips

Use for Science and Nature

This meaning is your go-to when talking about animals, plants, and the natural world. Think documentaries, science class, and news about the environment.

A baker handing a loaf of fresh bread to a farmer in exchange for a basket of apples, illustrating payment using goods.

Especie can refer to payment made 'in kind,' meaning goods or services are exchanged instead of money.

especie(Noun)

fB2

in kind

payment with goods or services, not money

Also:

goods

as a form of payment

📝 In Action

El granjero pagó a sus trabajadores en especie, dándoles comida y un lugar para vivir.

The farmer paid his workers in kind, giving them food and a place to live.

Parte de mi salario lo recibo en especie, como el coche de la empresa.

I receive part of my salary in kind, such as the company car.

Word Connections

Antonyms

en efectivo (in cash)
en metálico (in cash)

Idioms & Expressions

pagar en especie – To pay with goods or services instead of money.
pago en especie – A payment made with goods or services.

⭐ Usage Tips

Mostly for Business and Economics

You'll almost always see this meaning in the fixed phrase 'en especie'. It's used in contracts, business news, or historical contexts to talk about non-money payments.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: especie

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence correctly uses 'especie' to mean 'kind' or 'sort'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

especial(special) - adjective

especialista(specialist) - noun

especificar(to specify) - verb

específico(specific) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between 'especie', 'tipo', and 'clase'?

They are very similar and often interchangeable for 'kind' or 'type'. 'Tipo' is probably the most common and neutral. 'Clase' can sometimes feel a bit more like 'class' or 'category'. 'Especie' is great when you're being a little vague, like 'una especie de...' ('a sort of...'). For biology, however, only 'especie' means 'species'.

Is 'especie' always feminine?

Yes, the word itself is always feminine. You always say 'la especie' or 'una especie', even if you're talking about a group that includes males, like 'una especie de pájaros' (a kind of bird).