insecto

een-SEK-tohinˈsekto

“insecto” means “insect” in Spanish (small animal with six legs and a segmented body).

insect

Also: bug, despicable person

NounmA1

A colorful cartoon beetle with six legs and a segmented body on a green leaf.

📝 In Action

La abeja es un insecto muy trabajador.

The bee is a very hardworking insect.

Hay muchos insectos en el jardín durante el verano.

There are many bugs in the garden during the summer.

¡Quita ese insecto de mi mesa!

Get that bug off my table!

No me hables, ¡eres un insecto!

Don't talk to me, you're a nobody!

Word Connections

Synonyms

bicho (bug/beastie (more informal))

Common Collocations

insecto volador – flying insect
picadura de insecto – insect bite
repelente de insectos – insect repellent

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "insecto" in Spanish:

bug→despicable person→insect→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: insecto

Question 1 of 2

Which of these is the correct way to say 'the insect'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼

insecticida(insecticide/bug spray) — Noun

insectívoro(insect-eating) — Adjective

🎵 Rhymes▼

recto aspecto perfecto

📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'insectum', which means 'cut into' or 'divided'. This refers to how an insect's body looks like it is divided into distinct sections.

First recorded: 15th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: insectFrench: insecteItalian: insetto

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'insecto' only refer to ants and bees?

No, it refers to any animal in the class Insecta (six legs, three body parts), but in common speech, people use it for almost any small crawling creature.

Can I use 'insecto' to describe a person?

Yes, but be careful! Calling someone an 'insecto' is an insult, meaning you think they are small, insignificant, or annoying.