malaria
/maˈlaɾja/feminine
The English word malaria is translated into Spanish as malaria or paludismo.
Meaning: disease (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| malaria | /maˈlaɾja/ | feminine |
| paludismo | /paluˈdismo/ | masculine |
In medical or scientific discussions, you may also encounter the formal term fiebre palúdica to specifically mean malarial fever.
Which one should you use?
malaria is the common way to refer to the disease, whereas paludismo is a more formal or technical term used in medical and scientific contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
paludismo is a masculine noun and is used with the definite article el (e.g., el paludismo). malaria is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/maˈlaɾja/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, the word malaria is used colloquially to describe any severe, debilitating fever, even if it is not caused by the actual parasite.
- The term paludismo is a direct linguistic link to the environment where the disease is often found, as it derives from the Latin word for 'swamp' or 'marsh'.
- The term palúdico can describe a patient with the disease or, colloquially, a person who lives in a swampy and unhealthy environment.
Examples in context
- Investigadores de la universidad tailandesa de Mahidol y de la británica de Óxford dicen que los parásitos portadores de la malaria están desarrollando resistencia contra una combinación clave de medicamentos por múltiples regiones de Camboya, Laos, Tailandia y Vietnam.Researchers from Thailand’s Mahidol University and Britain’s Oxford University say parasites that carry malaria are developing resistance to a key drug combination across multiple regions of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam.This sentence shows how the form malaria is used when discussing parasites and drug resistance.Tatoeba #10176773 by Seael, translation #8125248 by Hybrid
- Estos mosquitos transmiten la malaria.Those mosquitoes transmit malaria.This sentence demonstrates the use of malaria regarding mosquito transmission.Tatoeba #12013341 by carlosalberto, translation #12013336 by carlosalberto
- Los mosquitos son unos de los insectos más peligrosos: transmiten la malaria y otras enfermedades potencialmente letales.Mosquitoes are among the most dangerous insects: they spread malaria and other potentially deadly diseases.This sentence illustrates how malaria is used when describing the danger of certain insects.Tatoeba #1199742 by nancy, translation #13836923 by rul
- El paciente ha sido diagnosticado con fiebre palúdica. Será necesario un tratamiento adecuado.The patient has been diagnosed with malarial fever. Appropriate treatment will be required.
Example conversation
Sofía and Mateo are discussing health precautions for a trip to a tropical region.
- Sofía¿Hay riesgo de contraer malaria en esa zona?Is there a risk of contracting malaria in that area?
- MateoSí, es mejor que uses repelente para evitar la malaria.Yes, it is better that you use repellent to avoid malaria.
- SofíaGracias por el consejo, Mateo.Thanks for the advice, Mateo.
- MateoDe nada, Sofía, ten mucho cuidado.You're welcome, Sofía, be very careful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “malaria” translations and entries malaria, paludismo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries paludismo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
