Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Octopus in Spanish
Pulpo · noun · POOL-poh
"Pulpo" is the Spanish word for octopus. It is a masculine noun that pluralizes to "pulpos." Whether you are discussing marine biology or ordering seafood at a restaurant in Spain, this is the word you need. The dish "pulpo a la gallega" — Galician-style octopus — is one of Spain's most iconic recipes.
POOL-poh
El pulpo es uno de los animales más inteligentes del océano.
The octopus is one of the most intelligent animals in the ocean.
Octopus in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for octopus, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| pulpo | octopus | POOL-poh | Default, widely understood |
| jibia | octopus | sometimes confused with octopus but actually refers to cuttlefish |
How Native Speakers Use Pulpo
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Ordering at a restaurant
Voy a pedir el pulpo a la gallega, por favor.
I am going to order the Galician-style octopus, please.
"Ir a + infinitive" is used to express what you are going to do. "A la gallega" means in the Galician style.
Describing marine life
Los pulpos tienen ocho tentáculos y tres corazones.
Octopuses have eight tentacles and three hearts.
The plural of "pulpo" is "pulpos," following the standard rule for masculine nouns ending in "-o."
At the fish market
¿Cuánto cuesta el kilo de pulpo fresco?
How much does a kilo of fresh octopus cost?
Seafood is sold by the kilo in most Spanish-speaking countries. "Fresco" means fresh.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Pulpo
Inventing a word from English
Incorrect: Vi un octópodo enorme en el acuario.
Correct: Vi un pulpo enorme en el acuario.
While "octópodo" exists as a scientific classification, it is not used in everyday Spanish. The common word is "pulpo."
Wrong gender
Incorrect: La pulpo estaba escondida entre las rocas.
Correct: El pulpo estaba escondido entre las rocas.
"Pulpo" is masculine, so it takes the article "el" and masculine adjective forms like "escondido," even when referring to a female octopus in general speech.
Lock in Octopus Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Pulpo used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using pulpo in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear El pulpo es uno de los animales más inteligentes del océano. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Octopus in Spanish
- What is "pulpo a la gallega"?
- "Pulpo a la gallega" is a traditional dish from Galicia in northwestern Spain. The octopus is boiled until tender, sliced, and served on a wooden plate with olive oil, coarse salt, and paprika (pimentón). It is a staple of Spanish cuisine and a must-try at any tapas bar.
- Is there a different word for baby octopus in Spanish?
- Baby octopus is typically called "pulpito" (using the diminutive suffix "-ito") or "pulpo bebé." In culinary settings, you might also see "pulpitos" on a menu to indicate the smaller variety served whole.
- How do you say "squid" versus "octopus" in Spanish?
- Octopus is "pulpo" and squid is "calamar." They are different animals — an octopus has eight arms and a rounded body, while a squid has ten appendages and an elongated body. In the kitchen, they are prepared quite differently.