tiña
/ˈtiɲa/
The English phrase ring worm is translated into Spanish as tiña.
tiña refers to the condition known as ring worm.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of tiña is /ˈtiɲa/.
Did you know?
- The Latin root of tiña originally referred to 'moths' or 'tiny worms' that devoured cloth, which is an interesting leap from an insect to a skin condition.
- Because tiña can be contagious, traditional folk remedies in some Latin American cultures once involved using garlic, which is known as ajo, as a topical treatment.
- The Spanish language has no single common word for 'ringworm' that explicitly mentions a 'ring', unlike the English phrase.
Examples in context
- El doctor dice que es la tiña.The doctor says it is ringworm.
- La tiña puede ser muy contagiosa.Ringworm can be very contagious.
Example conversation
Alejandro shows a skin rash to Lucía.
- AlejandroMira esta mancha roja en mi piel.Look at this red spot on my skin.
- LucíaParece que tienes tiña, Alejandro.It looks like you have ringworm, Alejandro.
- Alejandro¿Es grave?Is it serious?
- LucíaNo, pero ve al médico pronto.No, but go to the doctor soon.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry tiña, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tiña, CC BY-SA 4.0.
