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mariposa

mah-ree-poh-sah/maɾiˈposa/

“mariposa” means “butterfly” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

butterfly

Also: social butterfly
NounfA1
A bright orange and black monarch butterfly resting on a green leaf.

📝 In Action

Vi una mariposa de colores en el jardín.

A1

I saw a colorful butterfly in the garden.

Las mariposas monarca migran miles de kilómetros.

B1

Monarch butterflies migrate thousands of kilometers.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • lepidóptero (moth/butterfly (scientific term))

Common Collocations

  • mariposa monarca – monarch butterfly
  • red de mariposas – butterfly net

Idioms & Expressions

  • tener mariposas en el estómago – to feel nervous or excited, especially when you like someone

butterfly stroke

NounfB1
A swimmer in a pool performing the butterfly stroke with arms spread wide like wings.

📝 In Action

Ella ganó la medalla de oro en los cien metros mariposa.

B1

She won the gold medal in the hundred-meter butterfly.

Nadar a mariposa es muy agotador.

B2

Swimming butterfly is very exhausting.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

  • nadar a mariposa – to swim butterfly stroke
  • estilo mariposa – butterfly style

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "mariposa" in Spanish:

butterfly→butterfly stroke→social butterfly→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: mariposa

Question 1 of 2

If you are talking about a male butterfly, what should you say?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
mariposear(to flit about / to flirt) — Verb
mariposeo(the act of flitting or flirting) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

A charming combination of the name 'María' and the verb 'posar' (to alight or rest). It likely comes from old nursery rhymes or songs where children would tell the insect 'María, pósate' (Mary, land/rest).

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: mariposa

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'mariposa' used for moths too?

Generally, no. Moths are usually called 'polillas' in Spanish, though scientifically they belong to the same family.

Why is it a feminine word?

In Spanish, all nouns have a grammatical gender. 'Mariposa' just happens to be feminine, and this doesn't change based on the actual sex of the insect.