sarna
/ˈsaɾna/feminine
The English phrase scabies is translated into Spanish as sarna.
sarna refers to an infestation of the parasitic mites Sarcoptes scabiei. To express that someone has the condition, use the verb tener (to have) rather than ser or estar. For example, you would say tener sarna.
Meaning: an infestation of parasitic mites, Sarcoptes scabiei (noun)
Which one should you use?
The word sarna is the common term, while Escabiosis is the formal medical name for the condition.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun sarna is feminine and is typically used with the definite article la (e.g., la sarna). The adjective sarnoso/a can be used to describe someone or something affected by the condition.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈsaɾna/
Did you know?
- The adjective sarnoso is often used as a harsh insult to describe someone as dirty, wretched or morally contemptible, regardless of whether they actually have mites.
- While sarna refers to human scabies, it is also the standard word used for 'mange' in animals, meaning the same word covers both human and veterinary contexts.
- The term sarnoso is sometimes used in a non-medical sense to describe a piece of clothing or furniture that is so worn out and dirty it looks like it is decaying.
Examples in context
- El médico diagnosticó al paciente con escabiosis y le recetó un tratamiento adecuado.The doctor diagnosed the patient with scabies and prescribed an appropriate treatment.
- No puedo rascarme las piernas debido a la sarna.I can't scratch my legs because of scabies.
- Juan tiene sarna, por eso se rasca tanto.Juan has scabies, that's why he scratches so much.
- La sarna causa mucha picazón.Scabies causes a lot of itching.
- El médico confirmó que es sarna.The doctor confirmed that it is scabies.
- Debes tratar la sarna rápidamente.You must treat the scabies quickly.
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are talking about a skin rash at home.
- DanielElena, ¿crees que esto es sarna?Elena, do you think this is scabies?
- ElenaNo estoy segura, Daniel.I am not sure, Daniel.
- DanielMe pica mucho la piel.My skin itches a lot.
- ElenaVamos al médico ahora mismo.Let's go to the doctor right now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “scabies” translations and entries sarna, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
