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"Gusano" is a noun which is often translated as "worm", and "oruga" is a noun which is often translated as "caterpillar". Learn more about the difference between "gusano" and "oruga" below.
el gusano(
goo
-
sah
-
noh
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
1. (animal)
2. (larva)
b. caterpillar (of a butterfly)
Qué difícil es creer que este feo gusano pronto será una bella mariposa.It's so hard to believe that this ugly caterpillar will soon be a beautiful butterfly.
3. (colloquial) (lousy person)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. worm (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
No escuches a ese gusano; siempre tiene un motivo oculto.Don't listen to that worm; he always has an ulterior motive.
la oruga(
oh
-
roo
-
gah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (animal)
a. caterpillar
¿Ves la oruga caminando por el tallo de la planta?Can you see the caterpillar crawling on the plant stem?
2. (vegetable)
a. arugula (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
¿Quieres que le ponga oruga a tu sándwich?Do you want me to put arugula on your sandwich?
b. rocket (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Con la cena, comimos una ensalada de oruga y tomates asados.With dinner, we ate a salad with rocket and roasted tomatoes.
3. (botany)
a. arugula (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Tengo oruga, col rizada y berzas en mi jardín.There's arugula, kale, and collard greens in my garden.
b. rocket (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Plantamos oruga y albahaca en el jardín.We planted rocket and basil in the garden.
4. (vehicle)
a. Caterpillar
Los escombros del edificio demolido fueron removidos con una oruga.A Caterpillar removed the rubble from the demolished building.
a. Caterpillar track
El tanque se detuvo porque una mina rompió su oruga.The tank stopped when a mine destroyed its Caterpillar track.
