lagarto
“lagarto” means “lizard” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
lizard
Also: alligator
📝 In Action
Hay un lagarto grande tomando el sol en esa piedra.
A1There is a large lizard sunbathing on that rock.
Los lagartos suelen esconderse cuando escuchan ruido.
A2Lizards usually hide when they hear noise.
La piel del lagarto es escamosa y muy resistente.
B1The lizard's skin is scaly and very resistant.
sly person
Also: old fox
📝 In Action
Ten cuidado con ese negociador, es un lagarto.
B2Be careful with that negotiator; he's a sly one.
Mi abuelo es un viejo lagarto, no puedes engañarlo fácilmente.
C1My grandfather is a crafty old fox; you can't fool him easily.
Ese político es un lagarto que sabe cómo evitar las preguntas difíciles.
C1That politician is a cunning man who knows how to avoid difficult questions.
Heaven forbid!
Also: Touch wood!
📝 In Action
—¿Crees que el negocio va a quebrar? —¡Lagarto, lagarto!
C2—Do you think the business will fail? —Heaven forbid!
Vocabulary Collections
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Words that translate to "lagarto" in Spanish:
alligator→heaven forbid!→lizard→old fox→sly person→touch wood!→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: lagarto
Question 1 of 3
What is the main difference between a 'lagarto' and a 'lagartija'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'lacertus', which meant both 'muscle' and 'lizard'. This is because the movement of a lizard was thought to look like a muscle moving under the skin.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does lagarto mean crocodile?
Not strictly. While the word 'alligator' in English actually comes from the Spanish 'el lagarto', in modern Spanish, a crocodile is 'un cocodrilo'. However, in some Latin American countries, people might call them 'lagartos' informally.
Is 'lagarto' a meat cut?
Yes! In Spain, 'lagarto ibérico' is a delicious, long, thin strip of pork meat located between the loin and the ribs.
Can I use 'lagarto' as an insult?
It's more of a description than a heavy insult. It suggests someone is very crafty or slippery, like a lizard escaping a hand.