tortoise
word
Definition
A tortoise is a slow-moving, land-dwelling reptile with a hard shell, similar to a turtle but living only on land.
Usage & Nuances
"Tortoise" refers specifically to land-dwelling species, while "turtle" in American English often means water-dwelling types. Do not use "tortoise" for sea turtles. Common collocations: 'giant tortoise', 'pet tortoise'. Often used metaphorically for slowness ('as slow as a tortoise').
Spanish: tortuga terrestrePortuguese (BR): tartaruga terrestrePortuguese (PT): tartaruga terrestreChinese (Simplified): 陆龟Chinese (Traditional): 陸龜Hindi: कछुआ (जमीनी)Arabic: سلحفاة بريةBengali: কচ্ছপ (স্থলজ)Russian: сухопутная черепахаJapanese: リクガメVietnamese: rùa cạnKorean: 육지거북Turkish: kara kaplumbağasıUrdu: خشکی کا کچھواIndonesian: kura-kura darat
Example Sentences
The tortoise walks very slowly.
basic
A tortoise has a hard shell to protect itself.
basic
My friend keeps a tortoise as a pet.
basic
Slow and steady like a tortoise, he finished the race.
natural
It takes a tortoise a long time to cross the garden.
natural
The Galápagos Islands are famous for their giant tortoises.
natural