murciélago
“murciélago” means “bat” in Spanish (the flying mammal).
bat
Also: night owl
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El murciélago vuela por la noche para buscar comida.
A1The bat flies at night to look for food.
Vimos miles de murciélagos saliendo de la cueva al atardecer.
B1We saw thousands of bats leaving the cave at sunset.
Los murciélagos son fundamentales para controlar las plagas de insectos.
B2Bats are fundamental for controlling insect pests.
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Words that translate to "murciélago" in Spanish:
night owl→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: murciélago
Question 1 of 3
What is unique about the word 'murciélago'?
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📚 Etymology▼
Derived from the Old Spanish words 'mur' (mouse) and 'ciego' (blind). Essentially, it means 'blind mouse.'
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'murciélago' really mean blind mouse?
Yes! Its roots come from the Latin 'mus' (mouse) and 'caeculus' (blind). Even though bats aren't mice, that's how early speakers described them.
Is 'murciégalo' a real word?
It was actually the original form centuries ago, but today it is considered a mistake or a very old-fashioned regionalism. Stick to 'murciélago' for modern Spanish.
Are bats considered 'pajáros' (birds)?
No, in Spanish they are strictly called 'mamíferos' (mammals), even though they fly.