Hormiguillo is a noun.
/hormiˈɡiʝo/
Hormiguillo commonly refers to small ants, often used in a general sense for various tiny ant species in Spanish-speaking regions. It can also denote small, insignificant annoyances, often associated with pest control in both domestic and professional settings.
In contemporary Spanish, the term is frequently used in both oral and written forms, though it may appear more frequently in casual spoken language when discussing tiny insects or pests.
El hormiguillo se metió en la casa y ahora tenemos que desinfectar.
The little ant got into the house, and now we have to disinfect.
Mis hijos encontraron un hormiguillo en el jardín mientras jugaban.
My children found a little ant in the garden while playing.
While "hormiguillo" itself does not have prominent idiomatic expressions, the concept of small ants is used metaphorically in the Spanish language to describe minor troubles or nuisances. These expressions might not directly include "hormiguillo," but they reflect a similar sentiment.
No dejes que esos hormigueros de problemas pequeños te molesten.
Don't let those ant hills of small problems bother you.
A veces los detalles son como hormiguillos, pequeños pero molestos.
Sometimes details are like little ants, small but annoying.
En lugar de ver el hormiguillo, mira el panorama completo.
Instead of seeing the little ant, look at the bigger picture.
The word "hormiguillo" is derived from the Spanish word "hormiga," which means "ant." The suffix "-illo" is a diminutive that conveys smallness or endearment, often used affectionately or to emphasize the small size of the object.
Synonyms: - Hormiga pequeña (small ant) - Termitillo (in specific contexts referring to termites)
Antonyms: - Hormigón (concrete - metaphorically representing strength, unlike tiny ants) - Gigante (giant)
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