Are you looking to learn how to say “chickenpox” in Spanish? Whether you need the term for a formal setting or a casual conversation, we’ve got you covered! In this guide, we’ll explore the formal and informal ways to express the word “chickenpox” in Spanish, providing useful tips and examples along the way. Let’s dive in!
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Formal Ways to Say Chickenpox in Spanish
If you’re addressing a professional setting or need to use formal language, the following phrases will come in handy:
1. Varicela
The term “varicela” is the most widely used way to say “chickenpox” in Spanish, particularly in formal contexts and medical settings.
Example 1: El niño fue diagnosticado con varicela y debe permanecer en casa durante la semana. (The child has been diagnosed with chickenpox and must stay at home for the week.)
Example 2: La vacunación contra la varicela es fundamental para prevenir la propagación de la enfermedad. (Vaccination against chickenpox is crucial to prevent the spread of the disease.)
Informal Ways to Say Chickenpox in Spanish
If you’re in a casual or informal setting, you might come across variations for expressing “chickenpox” in Spanish. Here are a few informal phrases you can use:
1. Las viruelas
Although less common in formal contexts, “las viruelas” is a term used in various Spanish-speaking regions to refer to chickenpox, especially among older generations.
Example: No puedo ir a la fiesta porque mi hermano menor tiene las viruelas. (I can’t go to the party because my younger brother has chickenpox.)
2. Culebrilla
“Culebrilla” is an informal term commonly used in some Latin American countries to refer to shingles, which is caused by the same virus as chickenpox. It’s important to note that “culebrilla” is not typically used to refer to chickenpox itself.
Example: El abuelo desarrolló culebrilla después de haber tenido varicela en su juventud. (Grandpa developed shingles after having had chickenpox in his youth.)
Additional Tips and Examples
Here are a few more tips and examples to help you further understand how to use the term for “chickenpox” in Spanish:
1. Verbs commonly used with chickenpox:
- Contraer (to contract): Lo contraje en la escuela. (I contracted it at school.)
- Desarrollar (to develop): Mi hermanita desarrolló varicela después del contacto con otro niño infectado. (My little sister developed chickenpox after contact with another infected child.)
- Tener (to have): Mi primo tuvo varicela cuando era pequeño. (My cousin had chickenpox when he was little.)
2. Adjectives related to chickenpox:
- Contagiosa (contagious): La varicela es muy contagiosa y se propaga fácilmente. (Chickenpox is highly contagious and spreads easily.)
- Infecciosa (infectious): La etapa infecciosa de las viruelas dura aproximadamente una semana. (The infectious stage of chickenpox lasts about a week.)
- Incubación (incubation): El período de incubación de la varicela es de 10 a 21 días. (The incubation period of chickenpox is 10 to 21 days.)
3. Expressing symptoms:
If you want to communicate the symptoms of chickenpox, you can use the following phrases:
- Tiene ampollas rojas y con picazón por todo el cuerpo. (They have red and itchy blisters all over the body.)
- Las ampollas se llenan de líquido y luego forman costras. (The blisters fill with fluid and then scab over.)
- Puede presentar fiebre y sentirse cansado. (They may have a fever and feel tired.)
Remember, regardless of the formality, it’s crucial to use the appropriate context and tone when discussing illnesses in any language.
