plaga
/ˈplaɡa/feminine
The English word "plague" can be translated into Spanish as plaga.
plaga is a noun used to describe an epidemic, a pandemic or a pestilence. Beyond medical contexts, it can also refer to a large, annoying swarm of insects or a pest infestation. If you are specifically describing a widespread infectious disease within a certain community or region, you might use epidemia and for a global outbreak, pandemia is the common term.
Meaning: an epidemic or pandemic caused by any pestilence (noun)
Which one should you use?
While plaga is a versatile term, peste is a common formal translation when referring specifically to an epidemic disease with a high mortality rate.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
plaga is a feminine noun. Therefore, it is used with the feminine article la to say "the plague" (la plaga).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈplaɡa/
Did you know?
- The word plaga is a linguistic sibling to llaga, which means 'sore' or 'wound'. Both words evolved from the same Latin root meaning 'a blow' or 'strike'.
- While plaga can mean a swarm of insects, it is also used colloquially in some Spanish-speaking regions to describe a person who is extremely bothersome or a 'pest'.
- While plaga refers to the infestation or the disaster, the term peste is more commonly used in Spain to refer specifically to the 'Black Death' as la peste negra.
Examples in context
- Las ratas son el origen de la plaga.Rats carry the plague.This sentence shows how to use plaga regarding the origin of a disease.Tatoeba #1543836 by wallebot, translation #35793 by CK
- La plaga ha desolado ciudades enteras.The plague has devastated entire cities.This sentence illustrates the devastating effect of plaga on cities.Tatoeba #1695730 by marcelostockle, translation #1695736 by marcelostockle
- Uno nunca se casó, y ese es su infierno, el otro sí, y esa es su plaga.One was never married, and that's his hell, another is, and that's his plague.This sentence uses plaga in a metaphorical sense to describe a personal burden or hell.Tatoeba #1279275 by marcelostockle, translation #411105 by Scott
- La peste negra fue devastadora en la Europa medievalThe Black Death was devastating in medieval Europe
- ¡El mosquito es una plaga en mi vecindario!Mosquitoes are a plague in my neighborhood!
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are discussing a history book about the Middle Ages.
- ElenaEsta plaga mató a mucha gente en Europa.This plague killed many people in Europe.
- DanielSí, fue una tragedia muy terrible.Yes, it was a very terrible tragedy.
- ElenaNo imagino vivir durante esa plaga.I cannot imagine living during that plague.
- DanielYo tampoco, Daniel.Neither can I, Daniel.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “plague” translations and entries plaga, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries plaga, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
