Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Spider in Spanish: How to Say Araña and Related Vocabulary
Araña · noun (feminine) · ah-RAH-nyah
Spider in Spanish is araña — a feminine noun (la araña). Key related terms include tela de araña (spider web), telaraña (cobweb, also spider web), picadura de araña (spider bite), and araña venenosa (venomous spider). The word araña also means 'chandelier' in some Spanish-speaking regions, especially in older or literary usage.
Ah-RAH-nyah — three syllables, stress on the second. The ñ is pronounced like the 'ny' in 'canyon.' Make sure to distinguish it from arana (without the tilde), which is not a standard word.
Hay una araña enorme en la esquina del techo.
There is a huge spider in the corner of the ceiling.
Spider in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for spider, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| araña | spider | ah-RAH-nyah | Default, widely understood |
| arácnido | spider | scientific/formal — refers to the arachnid class broadly |
How Native Speakers Use Araña
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Pointing out a spider
¡Mira esa araña tan grande que hay detrás de la puerta!
Look at that huge spider behind the door!
Tan grande intensifies the size. This is a common reaction structure in casual speech.
Talking about spider webs
El desván estaba lleno de telarañas después de tantos años cerrado.
The attic was full of cobwebs after so many years closed up.
Telaraña (one word) typically means cobweb, while tela de araña (two words) is used for an active spider's web.
Nature discussion
La araña reclusa parda es una de las más peligrosas de América.
The brown recluse spider is one of the most dangerous in the Americas.
Spider species names in Spanish follow the pattern araña + descriptor: araña lobo (wolf spider), araña saltadora (jumping spider).
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Araña
Forgetting the tilde on ñ
Incorrect: Vi una arana en el jardín.
Correct: Vi una araña en el jardín.
The ñ is essential. Without it, the word loses its meaning. Araña (ah-RAH-nyah) means spider; arana is not a recognized Spanish word. Always include the tilde.
Treating araña as masculine
Incorrect: El araña negro me dio miedo.
Correct: La araña negra me dio miedo.
Araña is feminine (la araña), even when referring to a male spider. Adjectives must agree: negra, grande, peligrosa — not negro, peligroso.
Lock in Spider 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 Araña used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using araña in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Hay una araña enorme en la esquina del techo. 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 Spider in Spanish
- Does araña really also mean chandelier?
- Yes, in some regions and in older Spanish, una araña or una lámpara de araña refers to a chandelier. The branching arms resemble spider legs. This usage is more literary today; most people say lámpara de araña or candelabro instead.
- How do I say 'spider web' in Spanish?
- Tela de araña for an active web, and telaraña for a cobweb or web in general. Both are feminine. Telaraña is more common in everyday conversation.
- What is the verb arañar?
- Arañar means 'to scratch' — as a cat scratches or a person scratches a surface. It shares the root with araña but has a distinct meaning. El gato me arañó (The cat scratched me).