picadura de bicho
/pikaduɾa de bit͡ʃo/from spelling rules
In Spanish, a bug bite is picadura de bicho.
This phrase refers to a mark or swelling on the skin caused by an insect stinging or biting. While picadura is the general term for a sting or bite, adding de bicho specifies that the cause was an insect.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of picadura (sting or bite), de (of) and bicho (bug/insect).
Which one should you use?
If you know the bite was specifically from a mosquito, you should use picadura de mosquito.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Picadura de bicho is an informal or colloquial expression used in everyday conversation because bicho is a casual term for an insect. For a more formal or clinical tone, you can use picadura de insecto, which uses the more precise word for insect.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, it is common to use picadura de mosquito or picadura de insecto to refer to a bug bite.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural form, bug bites, change picadura to picaduras to get picaduras de bicho.
How do you pronounce it?
/pikaduɾa de bitʃo/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking regions, bicho is not just for insects but can be used as a playful or mildly insulting nickname for a person, similar to 'little rascal'.
- Spanish uses the same word picadura regardless of whether the insect actually bit the skin or stung it with a venomous barb.
- While picadura refers to the mark left by a bug, the verb picar can also mean to chop food into tiny pieces or to be spicy.
Examples in context
- ¡Qué picadura de bicho tan molesta!What an irritating bug bite!
- Me ha picado un mosquito en el brazo.I got bitten by a mosquito on my arm.
- Tengo una picadura de mosquito en la pierna y me produce mucho picorI have a mosquito bite on my leg, and it's very itchy
- Aplica hielo en la picadura para reducir la inflamaciónApply ice on the bug bite to reduce inflammation
- Es importante buscar asistencia médica si la picadura está muy inflamada o si tienes una reacción alérgicaIt's important to seek medical assistance if the bite is very swollen or if you have an allergic reaction
- Tengo una picadura de bicho en el brazo.I have a bug bite on my arm.
- Esa picadura de bicho parece que pica mucho.That bug bite looks like it itches a lot.
- La picadura de bicho es muy roja.The bug bite is very red.
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are hiking in the woods.
- MateoAy, creo que tengo una picadura de bicho.Ow, I think I have a bug bite.
- LucíaDéjame ver, Mateo. Está muy rojo.Let me see, Mateo. It is very red.
- Mateo¿Tienes alguna crema para la picadura de bicho?Do you have any cream for the bug bite?
- LucíaSí, Lucía tiene una en su mochila.Yes, Lucía has one in her backpack.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
