mosca

/MOHS-kah/

fly

A close-up illustration of a single large black housefly with prominent red compound eyes and transparent wings, resting on a bright green leaf.

The primary meaning of mosca is 'fly', referring to the common insect.

mosca(noun)

fA1

fly

the small, winged insect

📝 In Action

Hay una mosca muy molesta zumbando cerca de la ventana.

There is a very annoying fly buzzing near the window.

Necesitamos un matamoscas para deshacernos de la mosca.

We need a fly swatter to get rid of the fly.

Word Connections

Synonyms

insecto (insect)

Common Collocations

matar una mosca – to kill a fly
mosca doméstica – housefly

Idioms & Expressions

estar mosca – To be suspicious, annoyed, or on guard (especially in Spain).
por si las moscas– Just in case; as a precaution.
tener la mosca detrás de la oreja – To have a nagging doubt or suspicion.

💡 Grammar Points

Gender Check

Even though 'mosca' refers to an insect, it is always a feminine noun (la mosca), which is common for many small animals in Spanish.

⭐ Usage Tips

Using 'Por si las moscas'

This is one of the most useful idioms! Use it exactly like 'just in case' in English: 'Llevaré un paraguas, por si las moscas.' (I will take an umbrella, just in case.)

A neat pile of various colorful paper currency bills and shiny gold and silver coins stacked together.

In some contexts, mosca is slang used to mean 'cash' or money.

mosca(noun)

fB1

cash

paper money or coins

dough

slang for money

📝 In Action

El cajero automático no funciona, así que tuve que pagar con mosca.

The ATM isn't working, so I had to pay with cash.

No aceptan tarjeta, solo quieren mosca.

They don't accept cards, they only want cash.

Word Connections

Synonyms

dinero (money)
pasta (dough/money (slang))

Common Collocations

pagar con mosca – to pay with cash

💡 Grammar Points

Context is Key

In most contexts, 'mosca' means 'fly.' Only use this slang meaning ('cash') when you are sure the setting is very informal, or when speaking in Spain.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: mosca

Question 1 of 1

Which of these sentences uses 'mosca' in its slang meaning?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

moscón(large fly; bothersome person) - noun

matamoscas(fly swatter) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does 'mosca' sometimes mean money?

While the exact origin is debated, one theory is that it refers to the small, annoying nature of having to pay or the smallness of coins, similar to how a fly buzzes around and bothers you. It's used exclusively for physical cash.

What does the phrase 'Por si las moscas' literally mean?

It literally translates to 'for if the flies.' It’s a very common way to say 'just in case' or 'as a precaution,' perhaps originating from the need to cover food 'in case the flies come.'