Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Giraffe in Spanish
Jirafa · noun · hee-RAH-fah
The Spanish word for giraffe is 'jirafa,' closely resembling the English word. It describes the tall African mammal with a long neck and distinctive spotted pattern. The word 'jirafa' is also used colloquially to describe a very tall person.
Pronounce it as hee-RAH-fah, with three syllables and the stress on the second. The Spanish 'j' sounds like a strong English 'h.'
La jirafa es el animal más alto del mundo.
The giraffe is the tallest animal in the world.
How Native Speakers Use Jirafa
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
At the zoo
Las jirafas del zoológico comieron hojas de nuestras manos.
The giraffes at the zoo ate leaves from our hands.
Visiting an animal exhibit.
Fun fact
La lengua de una jirafa puede medir hasta 45 centímetros.
A giraffe's tongue can measure up to 45 centimeters.
Sharing animal trivia.
Children's book
El cuento habla de una jirafa que no podía bailar.
The story is about a giraffe that couldn't dance.
Describing a children's book.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Jirafa
Spelling with g
Incorrect: Vimos una girafa en el safari.
Correct: Vimos una jirafa en el safari.
In Spanish, the word starts with 'j,' not 'g.' While both letters can produce a similar sound before 'i,' the correct spelling is 'jirafa.'
Wrong gender
Incorrect: El jirafa es muy alto.
Correct: La jirafa es muy alta.
'Jirafa' is a feminine noun regardless of the animal's biological sex, so it takes 'la' and feminine adjective forms.
Lock in giraffe Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
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See Jirafa used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using jirafa in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear La jirafa es el animal más alto del mundo. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About giraffe in Spanish
- Is jirafa spelled with a j or a g?
- The correct spelling is 'jirafa' with a 'j,' even though both 'j' and 'g' can produce a similar sound before 'i' and 'e' in Spanish.
- Can jirafa be used to describe a tall person?
- In informal speech, calling someone a 'jirafa' is a lighthearted way to comment on their height, similar to saying 'beanpole' in English, though it can be taken as teasing.
- How do you say baby giraffe in Spanish?
- A baby giraffe is called a 'cría de jirafa' in Spanish, where 'cría' is the general term for the young offspring of an animal.