primate

noun pree-MAH-teh Rare

Usage Note

Primate in Spanish refers to the order of mammals (apes, monkeys, humans) exactly as in English — it is not a false friend. In ecclesiastical contexts el Primado (the Primate) refers to a senior archbishop, but primate (lower case) is strictly zoological in everyday use.

Examples

"El chimpancé es un primate inteligente."

Natural Translation

The chimpanzee is an intelligent primate.

Free starter pack

Building your Spanish vocabulary?

Get the 100 most common Spanish words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.

Related Words

Explore Spanish by topic

SpanishNow

Spain vs Latin American Spanish: Key Differences

Spain and Latin American Spanish are fully mutually intelligible. Compare vosotros vs ustedes, coche vs carro, the 'th' sound, and learn which one to study.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

You're Welcome in Spanish: Beyond De Nada

You're welcome in Spanish is more than de nada. Learn con gusto, no hay de qué, a la orden and more — and which to use by region and how formal the moment is.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Spanish Filler Words: 15 Ways to Sound Natural

Spanish filler words like pues, o sea, and vale make you sound natural, not robotic. Learn 15 muletillas sorted by job, by region, and when not to use them.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

How to Memorize Spanish Vocabulary Fast (That Sticks)

Memorize Spanish vocabulary fast with a 15-minute daily loop: spaced repetition, frequency-first words, and example-sentence cards that actually stick.

June 9, 2026 6 min read