Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Skunk in Spanish: Zorrillo, Mofeta & Zorrino
Zorrillo · noun (masculine) · soh-RREE-yoh
Skunk in Spanish varies by region: zorrillo is used in Mexico and Central America (literally little fox), mofeta is the standard term in Spain, and zorrino is common in Argentina and Uruguay.
soh-RREE-yoh (zorrillo) / moh-FEH-tah (mofeta) / soh-RREE-noh (zorrino).
Un zorrillo pasó por el jardín y dejó un olor terrible.
A skunk passed through the garden and left a terrible smell.
Skunk in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for skunk, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| zorrillo | skunk | soh-RREE-yoh | Default, widely understood |
| mofeta | skunk | Spain, formal | |
| zorrino | skunk | Southern Cone (Argentina, Uruguay) |
How Native Speakers Use Zorrillo
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Encountering the animal
¡Cuidado! Hay un zorrillo en el camino.
Careful! There's a skunk on the path.
Zorrillo is the most common term in the Americas where skunks actually live.
Describing the smell
El perro olía horrible; lo roció un zorrillo.
The dog smelled horrible — a skunk sprayed it.
Rociar (to spray) describes the skunk's defense mechanism.
Spain usage
La mofeta es un mamífero que vive en América del Norte.
The skunk is a mammal that lives in North America.
In Spain, mofeta is used in textbooks and nature documentaries.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Zorrillo
Using zorro for skunk
Incorrect: Un zorro roció al perro. (intending: skunk)
Correct: Un zorrillo roció al perro.
Zorro means fox. Zorrillo (diminutive) means skunk. The suffix -illo changes the meaning entirely.
Assuming mofeta is universal
Incorrect: Vi una mofeta ayer. (in Mexico)
Correct: Vi un zorrillo ayer. (in Mexico)
Mofeta is primarily used in Spain. In Mexico and Central America, zorrillo is the natural word.
Lock in Skunk 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 Zorrillo used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using zorrillo in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Un zorrillo pasó por el jardín y dejó un olor terrible. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About Skunk in Spanish
- How do you say skunk in Spanish?
- Zorrillo (Mexico/Central America), mofeta (Spain), or zorrino (Argentina/Uruguay). Zorrillo is the most widely recognized across the Americas.
- Why is a skunk called zorrillo?
- Zorrillo is the diminutive of zorro (fox). The skunk's bushy tail and pointed face reminded early Spanish speakers of a small fox.
- How do you say skunk spray in Spanish?
- The spray itself is called la secreción del zorrillo or el líquido fétido. The verb is rociar (to spray): El zorrillo lo roció.