The word "caracolillo" is a noun.
/kaɾaˈko.li.ʎo/
The word "caracolillo" is a diminutive of "caracol," which means "snail." It refers to a small snail or can imply a figurative sense of something that's slow or leisurely in movement. In certain contexts, particularly in Argentina, it may also refer to particular types of snails that are notable for their spiral shells. The term is generally employed in informal situations and is more commonly used in oral speech than in written contexts.
"El caracolillo se mueve lentamente por el jardín."
"The little snail moves slowly through the garden."
"Encontré un caracolillo en la playa, era muy bonito."
"I found a small snail on the beach; it was very pretty."
"Los niños estaban fascinados observando un caracolillo en la hoja."
"The children were fascinated watching a little snail on the leaf."
The term "caracolillo" is not widely featured in idiomatic expressions. However, the idea of slowness or leisure that comes with the image of a snail can be represented in several Argentine expressions:
"Ir como un caracolillo."
"To go like a little snail."
Meaning: To move very slowly.
"Tomarse las cosas con calma, como un caracolillo."
"To take things easy, like a little snail."
Meaning: To approach situations with a relaxed attitude, without hurry.
"En la vida hay que ir a paso de caracolillo."
"In life, one must go at the pace of a little snail."
Meaning: One should take life slowly and not rush through experiences.
"No te apresures, mejor que lo hagas como un caracolillo."
"Don't rush; it's better to do it like a little snail."
Meaning: It emphasizes the value of careful, unhurried work over rushing.
The word "caracolillo" is derived from "caracol," which comes from the Latin "cāraculum," a diminutive form of “cāra” meaning "spiral." "Caracol" means "snail," and the diminutive suffix "-illo" is used to denote smallness or affection in the Spanish language, hence "caracolillo" translates literally as "small snail."
Caracolito (another diminutive form of "caracol")
Antonyms: