Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Scorpion in Spanish: Escorpión
Escorpión · noun · ehs-kohr-PYOHN
Spanish has two common words for scorpion: escorpión, a direct cognate of the English, and alacrán, which is the everyday term in Mexico and much of Central America. Both refer to the same arachnid, but regional preference determines which you will hear most often in conversation.
Say ehs-kohr-PYOHN with stress on the final syllable. The word follows the same stress pattern as other -ión words in Spanish like camión or avión.
Encontramos un alacrán debajo de una piedra en el jardín.
We found a scorpion under a rock in the garden.
scorpion in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for scorpion, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| escorpión | scorpion | ehs-kohr-PYOHN | Default, widely understood |
| alacrán | scorpion | Mexico, Central America, and parts of South America |
How Native Speakers Use Escorpión
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
desert encounter
En el desierto de Sonora hay que revisar los zapatos por alacranes.
In the Sonoran Desert you have to check your shoes for scorpions.
Alacrán is the default term in Mexican desert regions.
zodiac sign
Mi signo zodiacal es Escorpión porque nací en noviembre.
My zodiac sign is Scorpio because I was born in November.
The zodiac sign always uses Escorpión, never alacrán.
safety warning
Si te pica un escorpión, busca atención médica inmediatamente.
If a scorpion stings you, seek medical attention immediately.
Escorpión works in any formal or medical context.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Escorpión
picar vs morder
Incorrect: El escorpión me mordió el pie.
Correct: El escorpión me picó el pie.
Scorpions sting (picar) with their tail — they do not bite (morder). Using morder suggests the animal used its mouth, which is inaccurate for a scorpion's venom delivery.
gender error with alacrán
Incorrect: La alacrán estaba en el baño.
Correct: El alacrán estaba en el baño.
Alacrán is a masculine noun requiring el as its article, regardless of the individual animal's sex.
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Why word lists alone don't stick
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See Escorpión used by native speakers
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Common Questions About scorpion in Spanish
- Should I use escorpión or alacrán?
- In Mexico and Central America, alacrán is the everyday word that locals use, while escorpión sounds more academic or formal. In Spain and much of South America, escorpión is the standard term and alacrán is less commonly heard.
- Is Scorpio the zodiac sign called alacrán?
- The zodiac sign is always called Escorpio or Escorpión in Spanish astrology, never alacrán. Even in Mexico where alacrán dominates for the animal, the astrological sign retains the Latinate form.
- Where does the word alacrán come from?
- Alacrán derives from the Arabic al-aqrab, reflecting the Moorish linguistic influence on Spanish during centuries of contact on the Iberian Peninsula. Many Spanish words beginning with 'al-' trace back to Arabic origins.