hormigas

or-MEE-gahs/orˈmiɣas/

“hormigas” means “ants” in Spanish (the plural form of the small social insect).

ants

Also: pins and needles

NounfA1

A row of small red and black ants walking across a green leaf.

📝 In Action

Las hormigas están llevando hojas a su hormiguero.

The ants are carrying leaves to their anthill.

Había un camino de hormigas en la cocina.

There was a trail of ants in the kitchen.

Siento hormigas en mi pierna porque se me durmió.

I feel pins and needles in my leg because it fell asleep.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

trabajo de hormigas – a job requiring slow, steady patience
hileras de hormigas – lines of ants

Idioms & Expressions

tener hormigas en el cuerpo – to be restless or fidgety

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "hormigas" in Spanish:

ants→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: hormigas

Question 1 of 2

Which article should you use with 'hormigas'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼

hormiga(ant (singular)) — Noun

hormiguero(anthill) — Noun

hormigueo(tingling sensation) — Noun

🎵 Rhymes▼

amigasfatigasmiga

📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'formīca,' which referred to the same insect.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

French: fourmisItalian: formicheEnglish: formic (as in formic acid)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a masculine version of this word for a male ant?

No. In Spanish, 'hormiga' is an epicene noun, meaning the same word is used for both males and females. If you need to specify, you would say 'hormiga macho' or 'hormiga hembra.'

Does 'hormigas' always refer to insects?

While it usually refers to insects, it is very common to use it to describe that prickly 'pins and needles' feeling when a limb falls asleep.