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lagartija means lizard — a common term in Funny Words. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: November 27, 2025

😆 Funny Words

lagartija

noun • /[la-gar-TEE-ha]/

lizard

Example:

Salió corriendo como una lagartija.

He ran off like a lizard.

🧠 What does lagartija mean?

A 'lagartija' is a small lizard, the kind often seen scurrying on walls, rocks, and in gardens in warm climates. It is a feminine noun ('la lagartija'). In addition to the reptile, 'lagartija' is also a common term in many Spanish-speaking regions for the exercise known as a push-up or press-up, likely due to the movement's resemblance to the animal's low-to-the-ground posture.

📚 Extra examples

  • Vimos una pequeña lagartija tomando el sol en el muro de piedra.
    We saw a small lizard sunbathing on the stone wall.
  • Las lagartijas son muy rápidas y se esconden en cualquier grieta.
    Lizards are very fast and hide in any crack.
  • En la clase de gimnasia, el profesor nos hizo hacer treinta lagartijas.
    In gym class, the teacher made us do thirty push-ups.

💡 Did You Know?

The connection between the animal and the exercise comes from the visual similarity. The up-and-down motion of a push-up, performed low to the ground, mimics the way a lizard moves. This kind of descriptive naming is common in Spanish and offers a glimpse into how the language often draws from the natural world to describe actions.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "lagartija"

Synonyms: salamanquesa, lagarto pequeño, flexión, plancha

🔍 See more funny words words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'lizard' in Spanish?
The general word is 'lagarto'. However, for a small lizard, like a gecko or wall lizard, the word 'lagartija' is much more common. 'Lagartija' specifically refers to these smaller types.
How do you pronounce 'lagartija' in Spanish?
The pronunciation is la-gar-TEE-ha. The 'j' is pronounced like the 'h' in 'hat', a soft, breathy sound made in the back of the throat. The stress is on the second-to-last syllable, 'ti'.
How do you use 'lagartija' in a sentence?
For the animal: 'Una lagartija corrió por el suelo.' (A lizard ran across the floor.) For the exercise: 'Hago veinte lagartijas cada mañana.' (I do twenty push-ups every morning.)
What is the English translation of 'lagartija'?
The primary translation is 'lizard,' specifically a small one. It is also a very common term for a 'push-up' (the exercise).
Does 'lagartija' change for gender or number?
'Lagartija' is a feminine noun. The singular is 'la lagartija' and the plural is 'las lagartijas'. The word itself does not change for gender, even if referring to a male lizard.
Is 'lagartija' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, it is a very common word used throughout the Spanish-speaking world to refer to small lizards and, in many regions, to the exercise of push-ups.
Does 'lagartija' have slang or double meanings?
Yes, its most significant double meaning is 'push-up'. While not exactly slang, this is an established, standard meaning in the context of physical exercise in many countries, especially Mexico.
Is 'lagartija' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
For the animal, the use is consistent. For the exercise, 'lagartija' is very common in Mexico and parts of Central America. In Spain, the term 'flexión' is preferred for 'push-up'. In other countries, you might also hear 'plancha' or 'pechada'.

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