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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).
1. (animal) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. grasshopper
El chapulín brincó para escaparse de la araña.The grasshopper leaped to escape from the spider.
el grillo(
gree
-
yoh
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
los grillos
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
2. (chains)
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. (figurative) (restrictions)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).