Catarina

[DailyWord]

This is a discussion thread for the Daily Spanish Word for October 22, 2008

catarina - feminine noun (la) - ladybug. Look up catarina in the dictionary

Las catarinas son insectos muy bonitos.
Ladybugs are very beautiful insects.

[Jessica]

Yes indeed Butterflies too Me gusta insectos Mi hermanos gustan mucho insectos

[poli]

Catarina may be a local term for ladybugs. In other countries mariquita is
used.

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by jchen

Yes indeed Butterflies too Me gusta insectos Mi hermanos gustan mucho insectos

Me gustan los insectos.
A mis hermanos les gustan mucho los insectos.

[poli]

I just checked RAE, and catarina is not recognized by them. I think catarina is a mexicanismo.

[Rusty]

Yep, catarina is only used in Mexico, according to the dictionary I use.
Mariquita is used in a lot of countries, though, including those in Central America.

The same dictionary says you'll hear pataca in Columbia, chinita in Chile, San Antonio in Uruguay, and vaca de San Antón in Argentina. I can't speak for those countries.

[lblanco]

In Sonora Mexico where my mom is from, they call ladybugs conchitas. I guess it all depends on the region. )

[Planet hopper]

Mariquita in Spain, the word also means homosexual, not derogative

[Elaina]

I have heard the word cochinitas used for ladybugs

[Planet hopper]

Una marranica is one of those black tiny crawlers that would become a ball if u touch them...can't remember the english word :-S

Una cochinita, I don't recognise the word. Cochino (and derivatives) is a rather offensive word. Calling someone cochinita would be like `my dirty sweetheart'

Interesting