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pulpo

POOL-poh/ˈpulpo/

octopus

Also: octopus meat
NounmA1
Spain
A friendly purple octopus swimming in clear blue ocean water with green seaweed in the background.

📝 In Action

El pulpo tiene ocho tentáculos.

A1

The octopus has eight tentacles.

En el acuario vimos un pulpo gigante.

A2

At the aquarium, we saw a giant octopus.

El pulpo es capaz de camuflarse muy bien.

B1

The octopus is able to camouflage itself very well.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • cefalópodo (cephalopod (scientific term))

Common Collocations

  • pulpo a la gallega – Galician-style octopus (famous Spanish dish)
  • tentáculos de pulpo – octopus tentacles
  • pescar un pulpo – to catch an octopus

Idioms & Expressions

  • Estar como un pulpo en un garaje – To feel completely out of place or confused

groper

Also: handsy person
NounmB2informal
A person with many extra cartoonish hands reaching out in various directions, representing the metaphorical meaning of a groper.

📝 In Action

No me gusta bailar con él porque es un pulpo.

B2

I don't like dancing with him because he's a groper (has wandering hands).

¡Quita tus manos de ahí, pulpo!

B2

Take your hands off me, you octopus!

Ten cuidado con ese chico, que es un pulpo en la discoteca.

C1

Be careful with that guy, he gets very handsy at the club.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • mano larga (someone with wandering hands)

bungee cord

Also: multi-arm elastic
NounmB2
A bright blue elastic bungee cord with metal hooks on both ends, used for securing luggage.

📝 In Action

Ata las maletas a la baca del coche con un pulpo.

B2

Tie the suitcases to the roof rack of the car with a bungee cord.

Necesito unos pulpos más largos para la mudanza.

B2

I need some longer bungee cords for the move.

Compré un pulpo de goma para sujetar la carga.

C1

I bought a rubber bungee strap to secure the load.

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: pulpo

Question 1 of 3

If someone calls you a 'pulpo' at a party, what are they likely saying?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
pulpito(little octopus) — Noun
pulpería(grocery store (LatAm) / octopus shop) — Noun
pulpear(to grope (slang)) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'polypus', which was borrowed from Ancient Greek 'polypous', literally meaning 'many-footed' (poly = many, pous = foot).

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: polypFrench: poulpeItalian: polpo

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is 'pulpo a la gallega'?

It is a traditional Spanish dish from Galicia consisting of boiled octopus served with olive oil, sea salt, and paprika (pimentón).

Is 'pulpo' used the same way in all Spanish-speaking countries?

Yes, for the animal and the food. However, the slang meaning (handsy person) and the bungee cord meaning are most common in Spain.

Does 'pulpa' mean a female octopus?

No! 'Pulpa' refers to the pulp of fruit or the soft part of meat. Always use 'pulpo' for the animal.