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"Chinita" is a noun which is often translated as "ladybug", and "mariquita" is a noun which is also often translated as "ladybug". Learn more about the difference between "chinita" and "mariquita" below.
la chinita(
chee
-
nee
-
tah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
a. ladybug (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
¡No mates a esa chinita! Traen buena suerte.Don't kill that ladybug! They're good luck.
b. ladybird (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
El jardín está lleno de chinitas a esta hora del día.The garden is full of ladybirds at this time of day.
la mariquita(
mah
-
ree
-
kee
-
tah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (insect)
a. ladybug (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
¿Viste que hay una mariquita en la hoja del arce?Did you see that there's a ladybug on the maple leaf?
b. ladybird (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
La mariquita voló de la planta a mi brazo.The ladybird flew from the plant onto my arm.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
3. (extremely offensive) (homosexual man)
A word or phrase that is gravely offensive and taboo in all contexts.
a. fag (extremely offensive) (United States)
A word or phrase that is gravely offensive and taboo in all contexts.
Regionalism used in the United States
b. fairy (extremely offensive) (United States)
A word or phrase that is gravely offensive and taboo in all contexts.
Regionalism used in the United States
c. poof (extremely offensive) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is gravely offensive and taboo in all contexts.
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
4. (extremely offensive) (coward)
A word or phrase that is gravely offensive and taboo in all contexts.
a. wimp (pejorative)
An offensive word or phrase used to degrade a person or group of people based on race, gender, sexual preference, etc. (e.g., redneck).
