vitiligo
/bitiˈliɡo/masculine
The English word vitiligo is translated into Spanish as vitiligo or vitíligo.
Meaning: patchy loss of skin pigmentation (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| vitiligo | /bitiˈliɡo/ | masculine |
| vitíligo | /biˈtiliɡo/ | masculine |
The term refers to the medical condition characterized by a patchy loss of skin pigmentation.
Which one should you use?
The two forms provided are vitiligo and vitíligo.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, the term leucoderma is used as a synonym for vitiligo.
How does it change in a sentence?
This is a masculine noun, so it is preceded by the masculine article el, as in el vitíligo.
How do you pronounce it?
/bitiˈliɡo/
Did you know?
- The English word 'vitiligo' and the Spanish vitíligo both trace their roots back to the Latin word vitiligo, which originally referred to a 'painter's stroke' or 'stain'.
- While manchas blancas literally means 'white spots', it is often used as a euphemism in social settings to avoid the clinical weight of the word vitiligo.
- The term leucoderma is used in Latin America to categorize a broader range of white skin conditions, whereas vitiligo is used more specifically for the autoimmune variety.
Examples in context
- Tengo vitiligo, que es una condición cutánea que causa la pérdida del pigmento de la piel.I have vitiligo, which is a skin condition that causes loss of skin color.
- El vitiligo no es una enfermedad contagiosa.Vitiligo is not a contagious disease.
- Ella tiene vitiligo en los brazos.She has vitiligo on her arms.
- El médico le diagnosticó vitiligo ayer.The doctor diagnosed her with vitiligo yesterday.
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are discussing a skin condition at a clinic.
- Daniel¿Es grave el vitiligo?Is vitiligo serious?
- ElenaNo, Daniel, es solo una condición de la piel.No, Daniel, it is just a skin condition.
- DanielEntiendo, gracias por la explicación, Elena.I understand, thanks for the explanation, Elena.
- ElenaDe nada, siempre es bueno informarse.You're welcome, it is always good to be informed.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “vitiligo” translations and entries vitiligo, vitíligo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries vitiligo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
