viruela
/biˈɾwela/feminine
The Spanish word for smallpox is viruela.
viruela is a noun used to refer to the infectious disease smallpox.
Meaning: disease (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun viruela is feminine and is almost always used with the definite article la.
How do you pronounce it?
/biˈɾwela/
Did you know?
- While 'la viruela' refers to the disease, Spanish speakers may use the adjective 'virulento' to describe anything extremely harsh or aggressive, such as a 'comentario virulento' (a virulent comment).
- Spanish speakers use the word viruela to describe 'chickenpox' in some regional dialects, though the standard term is varicela.
- The word viruela shares its roots with the English word 'variable', as both derive from the Latin 'varius' meaning 'speckled' or 'changing'.
Examples in context
- Soy inmune a la viruela.I am immune to smallpox.This sentence shows how to express immunity to viruela.Tatoeba #3796753 by Seael, translation #259596 by CK
- La viruela no era conocida por los nativos americanos.Smallpox was unknown to Native Americans.This sentence describes the historical context of viruela regarding Native Americans.Tatoeba #2760895 by marcelostockle, translation #805266 by Source_VOA
- Él tenía la viruela.He was suffering from smallpox.This sentence is used to state that someone was suffering from viruela.Tatoeba #4408815 by mervert1, translation #803035 by Source_VOA
- El médico está investigando un posible caso de viruela.The doctor is investigating a possible case of smallpox.
- En el pasado, las viruelas tuvieron un impacto devastador.In the past, smallpox had a devastating impact.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A doctor is explaining historical medical data to a student.
- MaríaLa viruela fue una enfermedad muy grave.Smallpox was a very serious disease.
- Daniel¿Cómo se controlaba la viruela?How was smallpox controlled?
- MaríaDaniel, la vacuna fue la clave.Daniel, the vaccine was the key.
- DanielEs increíble que María lo haya estudiado tanto.It is incredible that María has studied it so much.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “smallpox” translations and entries viruela, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries viruela, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
