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"Grillo" is a form of "grillo", a noun which is often translated as "cricket". "Chapulín" is a noun which is often translated as "grasshopper". Learn more about the difference between "chapulín" and "grillo" below.
el chapulín(
chah
-
poo
-
leen
)
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
1. (animal)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
(Latin America)
a. grasshopper
El chapulín brincó para escaparse de la araña.The grasshopper leaped to escape from the spider.
b. locust
Un enjambre de chapulines cubrió la plantación.A swarm of locusts invaded the plantation.
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el grillo(
gree
-
yoh
)
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
a. cricket
Me encanta escuchar el ruido de los grillos y chicharras en las noches de verano.I love to listen to the sounds of crickets and cicadas on summer nights.
los grillos
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
plural noun
a. shackles
Los prisioneros llevan grillos en las piernas para que no escapen.The prisoners have shackles on their legs to stop them from escaping.
b. fetters
Pablo quería quitar los grillos a otro preso, pero oyó acercarse a alguien y se escondió.Pablo wanted to remove the fetters from another prisoner, but he heard someone coming and hid.
3.
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).
(figurative)
(restrictions)
a. shackles
Tenemos que quitarnos los grillos de la tiranía.We need to throw off the shackles of tyranny.
b. fetters
Ella se sintió libre de los grillos de las convenciones sociales cuando se mudó a otro país.She felt free of the fetters of social convention when she moved to another country.
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