higiene
/iˈxjene/feminine
The English word hygiene is higiene in Spanish.
higiene refers to the conditions and practices that promote and preserve health. You can use specific formal terms to specify the type of hygiene, such as higiene corporal for bodily hygiene, higiene bucal for oral or dental hygiene and higiene pública when addressing public health or hygiene issues within a community.
Meaning: conditions and practices that promote and preserve health (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, the phrase buen aseo is often used interchangeably with buena higiene in informal conversations.
How does it change in a sentence?
higiene is a feminine noun, so it is used with the feminine article la (e.g., la higiene). To use the adjective form, use higiénico for masculine nouns and higiénica for feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/iˈxjene/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking countries, the word aseo is so closely linked to hygiene that it is commonly used as a euphemism for the bathroom or toilet.
- The word higiene can be used in the phrase higiene del sueño to refer to the habits and behaviors that help a person get a good night's sleep.
- The Spanish word higiene descends from the Greek goddess Hygieia, who presided over health and cleanliness.
Examples in context
- Es importante tener buena higiene oral.Having good oral hygiene is important.This sentence illustrates the importance of having good oral higiene.Tatoeba #1476844 by marcelostockle, translation #1360490 by Spamster
- La higiene personal es muy importante.Personal hygiene is very important.This sentence emphasizes that personal higiene is very important.Tatoeba #1779134 by Espi, translation #554331 by CM
- Normalmente uso seda dental como parte de mi higiene dental.I usually use dental floss as part of my dental hygiene.This sentence shows how dental floss is used as part of dental higiene.Tatoeba #8671347 by ajje, translation #8671348 by ajje
- La higiene personal es fundamental para mantener una buena saludPersonal hygiene is fundamental for maintaining good health
- Es importante mantener una buena higiene corporal para evitar enfermedades de la pielIt's important to maintain good bodily hygiene to prevent skin diseases
- Una buena higiene bucal previene la aparición de caries y enfermedades de las encíasGood oral hygiene prevents the occurrence of cavities and gum diseases
- El gobierno está tomando medidas para mejorar la higiene pública en este vecindarioThe government is taking measures to improve public hygiene in this neighborhood
- Recuerda tener buen aseo personal para dar una buena impresiónRemember to have good personal hygiene to make a good impression
- No te olvides del aseo personal, ¡es importante mantenerse limpio y ordenado!Don't forget about personal hygiene, it's important to stay clean and organized!
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are discussing workplace safety in an office.
- Daniel¿Qué opinas de las nuevas reglas?What do you think of the new rules?
- LucíaCreo que la higiene es necesaria aquí.I think hygiene is necessary here.
- DanielTienes razón, Lucía.You are right, Lucía.
- LucíaAsí todos trabajaremos más seguros.That way we will all work more safely.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hygiene” translations and entries higiene, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries higiene, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
