Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| serpiente | /seɾˈpjente/ | feminine |
| culebra | /kuˈlebɾa/ | feminine |
| sierpe | /ˈsjeɾpe/ | archaic, feminine |
| víbora | /ˈbiboɾa/ | Mexico, colloquial, feminine |
The most widely used word for "snake" in Spanish is serpiente. Another formal term for a snake is ofidio.
Which one should you use?
While both mean snake, serpiente is the general biological term, whereas culebra often refers to smaller, non-venomous snakes in common usage.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Sierpe is an archaic or literary term used primarily in poetry or classical texts to mean serpent. In Mexico, víbora is frequently used colloquially to refer to snakes in general, though it literally means viper.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, víbora is frequently used colloquially to refer to snakes in general. In Argentina, Uruguay and some parts of Paraguay, yarará is a commonly used term for a venomous snake called the "Bothrops". In some countries, such as Costa Rica and Guatemala, the "coral" snake is known as coral.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word serpiente is a feminine noun, so it must be used with feminine articles like la or una.
How do you pronounce it?
/seɾˈpjente/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the word víbora is used as a slang term to describe a spiteful or treacherous person, similar to calling someone a 'snake' in English.
- The word serpiente shares the same ancient root as the English word 'serpent', both stemming from the Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'to creep'.
Examples in context
- Tom pisó una víbora.Tom stepped on a snake.This sentence is useful for describing someone stepping on a víbora.Tatoeba #7061270 by luischir, translation #7060062 by Hybrid
- No pise la serpiente.Don't step on the snake.This sentence is useful for a command regarding a serpiente.Tatoeba #10216651 by Shishir, translation #10216610 by shekitten
- ¿La serpiente está viva?Is the snake alive?This sentence is useful for asking if a serpiente is alive.Tatoeba #1134798 by Shishir, translation #1138309 by CK
- El zoológico tiene una gran variedad de serpientes venenosas.The zoo has a wide variety of venomous snakes.
- El científico estudia el comportamiento de los ofidios en su hábitat natural.The scientist studies the behavior of snakes in their natural habitat.
- ¡Cuidado, hay una culebra en el jardín!Be careful, there's a snake in the garden!
- Las víboras venenosas pueden ser peligrosas si te muerden.Venomous snakes can be dangerous if they bite you.
- La yarará es una serpiente venenosa que habita en América del Sur.The yarará is a venomous snake native to South America.
- Tuvimos la suerte de avistar una coral en el bosque tropical.We were lucky to spot a coral snake in the tropical forest.
- 49 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are hiking in the forest.
- Lucía¡Mira, hay una serpiente en el camino!Look, there is a snake on the path!
- MateoNo te acerques a ella, Lucía.Do not get close to it, Lucía.
- LucíaParece que la serpiente tiene miedo.It seems that the snake is afraid.
- MateoMejor caminemos por el otro lado.Better if we walk on the other side.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “snake” translations and entries serpiente, culebra, sierpe, víbora, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries culebra, serpiente, sierpe, víbora, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
