Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| serpiente | /seɾˈpjente/ | feminine |
| culebra | /kuˈlebɾa/ | feminine |
| sierpe | /ˈsjeɾpe/ | archaic, feminine |
| víbora | /ˈbiboɾa/ | Mexico, colloquial, feminine |
Serpiente is the most common and universal term for snake in Spanish. Culebra is a term for snake commonly used to describe non-venomous snakes or those found in natural environments. Víbora can also mean a treacherous or deceitful person.
Which one should you use?
serpiente is the most common, general term for any snake. culebra often refers specifically to non-venomous snakes or certain types of colubrids in common usage. víbora is used colloquially in Mexico to refer to a snake, though it literally means viper.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
sierpe is an archaic or literary term used primarily in poetry or classical texts. Víbora is a colloquial term when used in Mexico.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, víbora is used colloquially to mean a snake and the specific term víbora de cascabel is used for a rattlesnake. In Argentina, the term yarará is used to refer to a venomous snake.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
all forms of the word for snake in this list are feminine nouns and require feminine articles like la. the verb culebrear is used to describe a winding, snake-like movement, as can viborear or the phrase hacer culebra.
How do you pronounce it?
/seɾˈpjente/
Did you know?
- The word víbora comes from a Latin blend of vīvus meaning 'alive' and pariō meaning 'to give birth to'.
Examples in context
- Tom pisó una víbora.Tom stepped on a snake.This sentence shows how to use víbora to describe a snake that was stepped on.Tatoeba #7061270 by luischir, translation #7060062 by Hybrid
- No pise la serpiente.Don't step on the snake.This sentence shows how to use the negative imperative with serpiente.Tatoeba #10216651 by Shishir, translation #10216610 by shekitten
- ¿La serpiente está viva?Is the snake alive?This sentence shows how to ask a question about whether a serpiente is alive.Tatoeba #1134798 by Shishir, translation #1138309 by CK
- El zoo local tiene una impresionante variedad de serpientesThe local zoo has an impressive variety of snakes
- La culebra más común en esta región es la culebra de aguaThe most common snake in this region is the water snake
- ¡Cuidado! Una víbora se cruzó en mi caminoBe careful! A snake crossed my path
- 49 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Daniel are hiking in a forest.
- Sofía¡Mira, hay una serpiente en el camino!Look, there is a snake on the path!
- DanielNo te acerques a esa serpiente.Do not get close to that snake.
- Sofía¿Crees que sea peligrosa?Do you think it is dangerous?
- DanielMejor caminemos con cuidado.It is better if we walk carefully.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “snake” translations and entries serpiente, culebra, sierpe, víbora, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries culebra, serpiente, sierpe, víbora, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
