How to Say "tusk" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “tusk” is “colmillo” — use 'colmillo' when referring to the long, pointed tooth of animals like elephants, walruses, or wild boars..
colmillo
/kol-mee-yo//kolˈmiʝo/
Examples
El elefante mostró sus grandes colmillos.
The elephant showed its large tusks.
El niño perdió su primer colmillo ayer.
The boy lost his first canine tooth yesterday.
El elefante tiene colmillos de marfil muy grandes.
The elephant has very large ivory tusks.
Ten cuidado con esa serpiente, tiene colmillos venenosos.
Be careful with that snake; it has poisonous fangs.
A Specific Type of Tooth
In English, we often just say 'tooth,' but Spanish speakers are very specific. 'Colmillo' is only used for the pointed teeth (canines). For flat back teeth, use 'muela'.
Using 'diente' for everything
Mistake: “Me duele el diente de atrás.”
Correction: Me duele la muela.
marfil
/mar-FEEL//maɾˈfil/
Examples
El collar estaba hecho de marfil tallado.
The necklace was made of carved ivory.
Las teclas del piano son de marfil.
The piano keys are made of ivory.
El museo tiene una colección de figuras talladas en marfil.
The museum has a collection of figures carved in ivory.
Antiguamente, el marfil era un material muy valioso para el comercio.
In the past, ivory was a very valuable material for trade.
Describing materials
Use 'de' before 'marfil' to describe what something is made of, like 'un collar de marfil' (an ivory necklace).
Always Masculine
This word is always masculine. You will always say 'el marfil', never 'la marfil'.
Spelling Trap
Mistake: “marvil”
Correction: marfil (with an 'f')
Confusing 'colmillo' and 'marfil'
Related Translations
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