Spanish · Nature, Animals & Weather

"Snake" in Spanish: serpiente

la serpiente

Say it: sehr-PYEN-tehfeminine · la serpientenoun/seɾˈpjen.te/

Note: also: la culebra

A snake is la serpiente (sehr-PYEN-teh). It is feminine: una serpiente, las serpientes. Culebra is a common everyday synonym.

On a hike

Cuidado, hay una serpiente.
Careful, there is a snake.
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How to pronounce serpiente

Say it

sehr-PYEN-teh

/seɾˈpjen.te/

sehr-PYEN-teh. Stress PYEN. Soft softie sound in pie. Say serpiente in three parts.

"Snake" in Spanish: quick reference

SpanishEnglish
la serpientethe snake

Clear standard word.

la culebrathe snake

Everyday synonym in many regions.

las serpientesthe snakes

Plural.

la mordedura de serpientesnakebite

Medical and warning talk.

How to use serpiente in real life

  1. 1On a hike

    Cuidado, hay una serpiente.

    Careful, there is a snake.

    Una serpiente warns of one snake.

  2. 2At a nature center

    La serpiente no es venenosa.

    The snake is not venomous.

    La serpiente as subject.

  3. 3In a documentary

    Esa serpiente muda la piel.

    That snake sheds its skin.

    Esa serpiente points to one.

Mistakes English speakers make with serpiente

Incorrect: El serpiente es larga.

Correct: La serpiente es larga.

Serpiente is feminine. Use la serpiente.

Incorrect: Vi un serpiente cerca.

Correct: Vi una serpiente cerca.

Use una serpiente. Match feminine gender.

Good to know

Serpiente is clear Spanish for snake. Many people also say culebra; serpiente stays clear. Trail signs may warn about serpientes in rural areas.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

Hiking and staying alert

  1. ChatPal

    Mira. Hay una serpiente a la izquierda.

    Look. There is a snake on the left.

  2. You

    La serpiente está quieta.

    The snake is still.

  3. ChatPal

    Pasemos lejos, sin ruido.

    Let's pass far away, quietly.

  4. You

    Buena idea. Gracias.

    Good idea. Thanks.

This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.

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"Snake" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Snake" in Spanish

Is serpiente masculine or feminine?

Feminine: la serpiente, una serpiente, las serpientes.

What is culebra?

Culebra is another common word for snake. Serpiente is always clear.

How do you pronounce serpiente?

sehr-PYEN-teh with stress on PYEN.

How do I warn someone about a snake?

Say cuidado, hay una serpiente.

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  4. Step 4: Use it in real scenarios

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