English to Spanish

Butterfly in Spanish

The Spanish word for 'butterfly' is 'mariposa', pronounced mah-ree-POH-sah (IPA: /maɾiˈposa/). It is a B1-level feminine noun (plural: mariposas).

Pronunciation: mah-ree-POH-sah

Spanishmariposa
Pronunciationmah-ree-POH-sah · /maɾiˈposa/
Part of speechnoun (feminine)
Pluralmariposas
LevelB1 (beginner-friendly)

Example Sentences with 'mariposa'

  • Una mariposa azul se posó en la flor.
    A blue butterfly landed on the flower.
  • ¿Sabías que las mariposas monarca viajan miles de kilómetros?
    Did you know that monarch butterflies travel thousands of kilometers?
  • En el jardín botánico hay un invernadero lleno de mariposas.
    At the botanical garden there is a greenhouse full of butterflies.
  • Cada invierno, millones de mariposas monarca llegan a los bosques de México desde Canadá.
    Every winter, millions of monarch butterflies arrive in the forests of Mexico from Canada.

Common Phrases with 'mariposa'

  • tener mariposas en el estómago
    to have butterflies in one's stomach

How to Use 'mariposa'

'Mariposa' is always feminine. The swimming stroke is also 'mariposa' (nadar mariposa), and 'tener mariposas en el estómago' works just like the English idiom.

Regional note: In some countries 'mariposa' is used as a slur for a gay man, so be mindful of tone; the animal sense is always neutral.

Related Vocabulary

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you say 'butterfly' in Spanish?

'Butterfly' in Spanish is 'mariposa', pronounced mah-ree-POH-sah.

How do you spell 'mariposa'?

It is spelled m-a-r-i-p-o-s-a.

Is 'mariposa' masculine or feminine?

'Mariposa' is feminine: you say 'la mariposa'.

What is the plural of 'mariposa'?

The plural of 'mariposa' is 'mariposas'.

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