insectos
“insectos” means “insects” in Spanish (small creatures with six legs).
insects
Also: bugs, creepy-crawlies
📝 In Action
Hay muchos insectos volando cerca de la luz.
A1There are many insects flying near the light.
Necesitas repelente si vas a un lugar con muchos insectos.
A2You need repellent if you go to a place with lots of bugs.
Los científicos estudian el comportamiento de los insectos sociales, como las hormigas.
B1Scientists study the behavior of social insects, like ants.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: insectos
Question 1 of 2
Which Spanish word is used informally to describe small, annoying creatures, often instead of 'insectos'?
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👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
This word comes from the Latin word *insectus*, which literally meant 'cut into' or 'incised.' This refers to the bodies of insects, which clearly show segments (the head, thorax, and abdomen) that look like they have been cut or divided.
First recorded: Around the 16th century in Spanish.
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'insectos' only mean the biological class Insecta (six legs)?
Yes, scientifically, 'insectos' refers specifically to creatures with six legs. However, in casual talk, people sometimes mistakenly use it to refer to other small creatures like spiders (which are *arácnidos* and have eight legs).
How do I say 'insect bite'?
The most common way is 'picadura de insecto' (literally 'prick/sting of insect').