Three segmented brown earthworms are shown partially emerging from dark, rich soil.

gusanos

goo-SAH-nohs

NounmA1

worms?General term for earthworms or small larvae,maggots?Larvae, especially found in decaying matter

Also:grubs?Larvae of certain beetles

📝 In Action

Mi abuelo usa gusanos como cebo para pescar.

My grandfather uses worms as bait for fishing.

Si dejas la fruta afuera mucho tiempo, saldrán gusanos.

If you leave the fruit out too long, maggots will appear.

Los gusanos de seda producen fibras muy valiosas.

Silkworms produce very valuable fibers.

Word Connections

Synonyms

lombrices (earthworms (more specific))
larvas (larvae)

Common Collocations

gusanos de seda – silkworms
cebo de gusanos – worm bait

Idioms & Expressions

estar como un gusano – to be very weak or sickly

💡 Grammar Points

Masculine Plural Noun

Since 'gusanos' ends in -os, it is a masculine noun in its plural form. This means you must use masculine plural words like 'los' (the) or 'estos' (these) before it.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using the wrong article

Mistake: "La gusanos (Incorrect use of feminine 'la')."

Correction: Los gusanos (Use the masculine plural 'los' to match the noun's gender).

⭐ Usage Tips

Specific vs. General

While 'gusanos' is a general term, if you are specifically talking about beneficial earthworms in a garden or for composting, you might use the more precise term 'lombrices'.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: gusanos

Question 1 of 2

¿Cuál es la forma singular de 'gusanos'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

gusano(worm, maggot (singular)) - noun

gusanera(worm nest, infestation) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'gusanos' the same as 'lombrices'?

Not exactly. 'Gusanos' is the general term for any worm or maggot. 'Lombrices' specifically refers to earthworms—the kind you find in healthy soil. All 'lombrices' are 'gusanos', but not all 'gusanos' are 'lombrices'.

How do I know if the word is masculine or feminine?

Since 'gusanos' ends in -os, it is masculine. The singular form is 'el gusano.' This means all words describing or pointing to it must also be masculine.