Spanish vocabulary · Intermediate
How to Say "Opossum" in Spanish
Zarigüeya · noun · sah-ree-GWEH-yah
The standard Spanish word for "opossum" is *zarigüeya*, but this animal goes by many regional names. In Mexico, it is called *tlacuache* (from Nahuatl), while in Colombia and Ecuador you may hear *chucha*.
sah-ree-GWEH-yah
Anoche vi una zarigüeya en el jardín.
Last night I saw an opossum in the garden.
Opossum in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for opossum, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| zarigüeya | opossum | sah-ree-GWEH-yah | Default, widely understood |
| tlacuache | opossum | Mexico — from Nahuatl | |
| chucha | opossum | Colombia, Ecuador | |
| comadreja overa | opossum | Argentina — specifically for the white-eared opossum |
How Native Speakers Use Zarigüeya
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Wildlife sighting
Una zarigüeya cruzó la carretera con sus crías en el lomo.
An opossum crossed the road with its babies on its back.
Describing a common wildlife encounter.
Mexican Spanish
En mi pueblo, los tlacuaches se meten en los gallineros.
In my town, opossums get into the chicken coops.
Using the Mexican regional term in a rural setting.
Biology class
La zarigüeya es el único marsupial nativo de Norteamérica.
The opossum is the only marsupial native to North America.
Stating a zoological fact in an educational setting.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Zarigüeya
Spelling without the dieresis
Incorrect: Vi una zarigueya en el parque.
Correct: Vi una zarigüeya en el parque.
The dieresis (ü) is required so the "u" is pronounced. Without it, the "u" would be silent as in "guerra," changing the pronunciation entirely.
Confusing with "comadreja"
Incorrect: El animal que finge estar muerto es la comadreja.
Correct: El animal que finge estar muerto es la zarigüeya.
"Comadreja" typically refers to a weasel, not an opossum. Although "comadreja overa" is used in Argentina for certain opossum species, "comadreja" alone means weasel.
Lock in Opossum 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 Zarigüeya used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using zarigüeya in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Anoche vi una zarigüeya en el jardín. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
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Common Questions About Opossum in Spanish
- Why are there so many names for "opossum" in Spanish?
- The opossum is native to the Americas, and different indigenous languages gave it different names before Spanish colonization. Many of those names survived alongside the standardized Spanish term "zarigüeya."
- Where does "tlacuache" come from?
- "Tlacuache" comes from the Nahuatl word "tlacuatzin." It is the dominant term in Mexico and is used in everyday conversation, literature, and even folklore.
- Do opossums really play dead, and how is that described in Spanish?
- Yes, opossums enter a catatonic state when threatened. In Spanish, this behavior is described as "hacerse el muerto" (to play dead). In Mexico, the expression "hacerse tlacuache" can mean to play dead or to feign ignorance.