Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Possum in Spanish: Zarigüeya, Tlacuache & More
Zarigüeya · noun (feminine) · sah-ree-GWEH-yah
The standard Spanish translation for possum is zarigüeya, a feminine noun referring to the nocturnal marsupial. In Mexico, the Nahuatl-derived word tlacuache is far more common in everyday speech.
sah-ree-GWEH-yah
Vi una zarigüeya en el jardín anoche.
I saw a possum in the garden last night.
Possum in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for possum, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| zarigüeya | possum | sah-ree-GWEH-yah | Default, widely understood |
| tlacuache | possum | Mexico | |
| comadreja | possum | some regions (also means weasel) |
How Native Speakers Use Zarigüeya
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Spotting wildlife
Hay una zarigüeya escondida debajo del porche.
There is a possum hiding under the porch.
Describing an animal encounter near the house.
Mexican usage
Mi abuela dice que los tlacuaches son inofensivos.
My grandmother says possums are harmless.
Using the Mexican regional term in a family conversation.
Nature documentary
La zarigüeya puede fingir estar muerta para escapar de los depredadores.
The possum can play dead to escape predators.
Describing the animal's famous defense mechanism.
Rural setting
Los campesinos encontraron una zarigüeya con sus crías en el granero.
The farmers found a possum with her babies in the barn.
Talking about wildlife encounters in a rural area.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Zarigüeya
Using comadreja as a direct synonym
Incorrect: Vi una comadreja en el árbol. (intending possum)
Correct: Vi una zarigüeya en el árbol.
Comadreja primarily means weasel in most Spanish-speaking countries. Using it for possum can cause confusion.
Wrong gender article
Incorrect: El zarigüeya estaba en el techo.
Correct: La zarigüeya estaba en el techo.
Zarigüeya is a feminine noun and requires the article la, not el.
Lock in Possum 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 Vi una zarigüeya en el jardín anoche. 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 Possum in Spanish
- What do Mexicans call a possum?
- In Mexico, the most common word is tlacuache, which comes from the Nahuatl language. It is used much more frequently than zarigüeya in everyday Mexican Spanish.
- Is zarigüeya masculine or feminine?
- Zarigüeya is a feminine noun. You say la zarigüeya regardless of whether the animal itself is male or female.
- Why does zarigüeya have a dieresis (ü)?
- The dieresis over the u (ü) indicates that the u is pronounced in the güe syllable. Without it, the u would be silent, as in guerra. The ü ensures you say GWEH, not GEH.