Difference between Gorilla and Guerilla

Key Difference: Gorillas are the biggest apes which belong to the eponymous genus Gorilla. On the other hand, Guerillas are members of an irregular and independent armed force which combats stronger forces.

Gorilla and Guerilla may seem to be the same thing and one may expect that one is the right spelling and the other is wrong. However, this is not the case. Gorilla and Guerilla are two different things. 

Gorillas are animals which belong to the category of the great apes. The status of gorillas is endangered. They are categorized into three categories according to the location – Mountain Gorilla; belonging to the Virunga volcanoes region in eastern Zaire. Eastern lowland Gorilla belonging to eastern Zaire, and finally Western lowland Gorilla belonging to West Africa and Congo basin.

Mountain Gorilla is the largest and rarest amount them. They have a lifespan up to 53 years. Gorillas are considered to be very amiable and shy creatures. However, males start beating their chests with the fists when they want to display their strength.

On the other hand, guerillas are the soldiers which are engaged in irregular warfare, known as guerilla warfare. They are typically members of a small group who are mostly politically motivated and fight against a government or other authority. They make use of surprise raids, sabotage, etc. The word has come into existence in 1809, from Spanish guerrilla "body of skirmishers, skirmishing warfare," literally "little war.

Thus, Gorilla and Guerilla are completely different from each other. Gorillas are basically great apes, whereas Guerillas are members of a group of irregular soldiers.

Comparison between Gorilla and Guerilla:

 

Gorilla

Guerilla

Definition

Gorillas are animals which belong to the category of the great apes. The status of gorillas is endangered.

Guerillas are the soldiers which are engaged in irregular warfare, known as guerilla warfare.

Origin

Probably from Greek Gorillai, an African tribe renowned for their hirsute appearance

From Spanish guerrilla "body of skirmishers, skirmishing warfare," literally "little war.

IPA

/gəˈrɪl ə/

/gəˈrɪl ə/

Other meanings (or sense)

an ugly, brutish person.

Used in context to plant growth where shoots are able to infiltrate between other plants

Part of speech

Noun

Noun

Example

Mountain Gorilla

Boer guerrilla commanders fought against New Zealand troops

Image Courtesy: news.discovery.com, beirutspring.com

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