viral
/biˈɾal/
The Spanish word for 'viral' is viral.
The adjective viral is used to describe images, videos or pieces of information that circulate rapidly and widely from one Internet user to another.
Meaning: (of an image, video, piece of information, etc.) circulating rapidly and widely from one Internet user to another (adj)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the phrase Tener mucho alcance is used to mean 'to have a lot of reach' when referring to viral content.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective viral changes to virales in its plural form to match plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/biˈɾal/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking countries, the term viral is occasionally used as a slang noun to describe a person who has suddenly become famous online.
- The Spanish verb viralizarse is a reflexive form, meaning the content does not just 'go' viral, but literally 'viralizes itself' in the grammar of the sentence.
- The English word 'viral' and the Spanish 'viral' both share the same root in the Latin word 'vīrus', which originally meant 'poison' or 'venom'.
Examples in context
- Todos esos puntos son focos virales.All those dots are viral focuses.This sentence uses viral to describe focuses.Tatoeba #1283549 by marcelostockle, translation #1283622 by marcelostockle
- Mucha gente no sabe que los antibióticos son ineficaces contra las enfermedades virales.Many people don't know that antibiotics are ineffective against viral diseases.This sentence uses viral to describe diseases.Tatoeba #1196401 by marcelostockle, translation #1196402 by CM
- Ese video se hizo viral en las redes socialesThat video went viral on social media
- Ese video se hizo viral en un día.That video went viral in one day.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about social media trends in a cafe.
- Mateo¿Viste el video que se hizo viral?Did you see the video that went viral?
- LucíaNo, Mateo, ¿de qué trata?No, Mateo, what is it about?
- MateoEs un perrito muy divertido.It is a very funny little dog.
- Lucía¡Qué tierno! Lo voy a buscar.How cute! I am going to look for it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry viral, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries viral, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
