varicela
/baɾiˈθela/feminine
Chicken pox in Spanish is varicela. Wiktionary also lists china and lechina.
Meaning: disease (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| varicela | /baɾiˈθela/ /baɾiˈsela/ |
feminine |
| china | /ˈt͡ʃina/ | Cuba, feminine |
| lechina | /leˈt͡ʃina/ | Venezuela, feminine |
| peste cristal | /peste kɾistal/ (from spelling rules) | Chile, feminine |
Is it said differently in some regions?
While varicela is the standard term, several regional variations exist. In Cuba, you may hear china. In Venezuela, the term lechina is used. In Chile, the phrase peste cristal is used. Additionally, in some parts of Mexico and Central America, the term Viruela loca refers to chicken pox. Note that in some Spanish-speaking countries like Argentina, the word culebrilla is used to describe shingles, which is a different condition.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word varicela is a feminine noun and is typically used with the definite article la.
How do you pronounce it?
/baɾiˈθela/
Did you know?
- In some regions, the word china used for chicken pox is also used to refer to women in Quechua or to a specific type of orange.
- While chicken pox is varicela, shingles is called culebrilla in Argentina, which literally means 'little snake' because of the way the rash winds around the body.
- In Chile, the phrase peste cristal literally translates to 'crystal plague', reflecting the clear, translucent look of the blisters.
Examples in context
- Tom me contagió varicela.Tom gave me the chicken pox.This sentence shows how someone can catch varicela from another person.Tatoeba #13560137 by flaviaelizabeth, translation #3151249 by CK
- Yo tuve varicela cuando niño.I had chicken pox as a kid.This sentence describes having had varicela during childhood.Tatoeba #2522595 by marcelostockle, translation #2331650 by CK
- Los brotes de varicela han inspirado muchas fiestas infantiles.Chicken pox outbreaks have inspired many children's parties.This sentence mentions how outbreaks of varicela can affect children's parties.Tatoeba #5462446 by albrusgher, translation #792714 by papabear
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are talking about a sick child at a park.
- Alejandro¿Sabes si el niño tiene varicela?Do you know if the boy has chicken pox?
- MaríaSí, su madre dice que es varicela.Yes, his mother says it is chicken pox.
- AlejandroEspero que se recupere pronto.I hope he recovers soon.
- MaríaSeguro que sí, Alejandro.I'm sure he will, Alejandro.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “chicken pox” translations and entries varicela, china, lechina, peste cristal, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries china, cristal, peste, varicela, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
