viruela
/biˈɾwela/
The English word pox is translated to Spanish as viruela.
viruela refers to a disease characterized by purulent skin eruptions that may leave pockmark.
Meaning: A disease characterized by purulent skin eruptions that may leave pockmark (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
/biˈɾwela/
Did you know?
- Spanish medical history distinguishes between viruela and vacuna, as the word vacuna comes from vacca, the Latin word for 'cow', marking the shift from the disease to the cure.
- Beyond human illness, Spanish speakers use viruela to describe specific plant diseases that leave spotted patterns on leaves.
- Because smallpox was so devastating in colonial history, viruela appears frequently in early Spanish colonial records as a primary cause of indigenous population decline.
Examples in context
- La viruela fue una enfermedad muy grave.Smallpox was a very serious disease.
- Antiguamente, la viruela afectaba a mucha gente.In the past, smallpox affected many people.
- Afortunadamente, la viruela ya ha sido erradicada.Fortunately, smallpox has already been eradicated.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are studying history in a library.
- AlejandroLeí que la viruela afectó a muchas personas.I read that smallpox affected many people.
- LucíaSí, era una enfermedad muy peligrosa.Yes, it was a very dangerous disease.
- Alejandro¿Cuándo se creó la primera vacuna?When was the first vaccine created?
- LucíaFue hace mucho tiempo para combatir la viruela.It was a long time ago to fight smallpox.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry viruela, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
