Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Otter in Spanish
Nutria · noun · NOO-tree-ah
The Spanish word for otter is "nutria," a feminine noun. This creates a well-known false-cognate trap: in English, "nutria" refers to the coypu (a large rodent), while in Spanish it means otter. For the coypu, Spanish uses "coipú" or "nutria roedora." Sea otters are called "nutrias marinas" and the Amazon's giant otters are "nutrias gigantes."
Pronounce "nutria" as NOO-tree-ah, with the stress on the first syllable. The "tr" cluster is articulated quickly, and the final "a" is open and clear.
Vimos una nutria jugando en el río.
We saw an otter playing in the river.
Otter in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for otter, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| nutria | otter | NOO-tree-ah | Default, widely understood |
| nutria marina | otter | sea otter (Enhydra lutris) | |
| nutria gigante | otter | giant otter of the Amazon (Pteronura brasiliensis) |
How Native Speakers Use Nutria
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Wildlife observation
Las nutrias construyen sus madrigueras junto a la orilla del río.
Otters build their dens along the riverbank.
River otters are the most common species discussed in Spanish-speaking countries with native otter populations.
Sea otter
La nutria marina usa piedras para abrir conchas.
The sea otter uses stones to open shells.
"Nutria marina" is the standard term for the sea otter, found along the Pacific coast.
Conservation topic
La nutria gigante del Amazonas está en peligro de extinción.
The giant otter of the Amazon is endangered.
The giant otter, or "nutria gigante," is the world's largest otter species and a symbol of Amazonian biodiversity.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Nutria
False cognate
Incorrect: I saw a nutria at the zoo. (meaning otter)
Correct: In English, say "otter." "Nutria" in English refers to the coypu, a large rodent.
This is a classic false cognate. Spanish "nutria" = otter, but English "nutria" = coypu (Myocastor coypus). Mixing them up leads to confusion about entirely different animals.
Gender error
Incorrect: El nutria nadó río abajo.
Correct: La nutria nadó río abajo.
"Nutria" is a feminine noun regardless of the animal's biological sex. It always takes the feminine article "la" (or "las" in the plural).
Lock in Otter 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 Nutria used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using nutria in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Vimos una nutria jugando en el río. 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 Otter in Spanish
- Is "nutria" in Spanish the same animal as "nutria" in English?
- The two languages diverge here: Spanish "nutria" means otter (family Mustelidae), while English "nutria" refers to the coypu (Myocastor coypus), a large semi-aquatic rodent. In Spanish, the coypu is called "coipú."
- How do you say sea otter in Spanish?
- Sea otter is "nutria marina." The species (Enhydra lutris) is native to the northern Pacific and is well known for floating on its back.
- Are there otters in Spanish-speaking countries?
- Several otter species inhabit Latin America, including the neotropical otter ("nutria neotropical" or "lobito de río") and the giant otter ("nutria gigante") in the Amazon basin.