parvovirus
/paɾbobiɾus/from spelling rules
In Spanish, the English term "parvo" refers to parvovirus, a highly contagious viral disease that affects dogs.
Which one should you use?
The word parvovirus is the full, formal name for the disease. For an even more formal or clinical context, one might use Parvovirosis to name the disease itself.
How do you pronounce it?
/paɾbobiɾus/
Did you know?
- When discussing the disease with a Spanish-speaking veterinarian, using the full term parvovirus is safer to avoid any confusion with the slang adjective for 'foolish'.
- While parvo is common, some Spanish speakers use the term la peste (the plague) colloquially to describe a severe outbreak of parvovirus in a local dog population.
- In Spanish, the 'v' in parvovirus is pronounced exactly like a 'b', which is why the word sounds like parbobirus to an English speaker.
Examples in context
- El perro padece el virus del parvoThe dog is suffering from parvovirus
- Tengo miedo de que mi perro tenga parvovirus.I am afraid that my dog has parvovirus.
- El parvovirus es muy peligroso para los cachorros.Parvovirus is very dangerous for puppies.
- ¿Ya vacunaste a tu mascota contra el parvovirus?Have you already vaccinated your pet against parvovirus?
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a sick dog.
- AlejandroSofía, el perro de mi vecino tiene parvovirus.Sofía, my neighbor's dog has parvo.
- SofíaQué mal, ¿está en el veterinario?That's too bad, is he at the vet?
- AlejandroSí, el parvovirus es una enfermedad muy grave.Yes, parvo is a very serious disease.
- SofíaEspero que se recupere pronto.I hope he recovers soon.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
