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bicho

bee-cho/ˈbitʃo/

bug, critter

Also: insect, worm
NounmA2
Spain
A vibrant red ladybug with black spots resting on a large green leaf.

📝 In Action

Hay un bicho enorme en mi ensalada. ¡Qué asco!

A2

There is a huge bug in my salad. How gross!

Los niños estaban buscando bichos debajo de las piedras.

A2

The children were looking for critters under the rocks.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • insecto (insect)
  • animalito (little animal)

Common Collocations

  • matar un bicho – to kill a bug
  • un bicho raro – a strange creature/person (idiom)

germ, virus

Also: bug
NounmB2informal
Several stylized, brightly colored, simple, blob-like germs floating together.

📝 In Action

Creo que agarré un bicho en el avión y ahora tengo fiebre.

B2

I think I caught a bug/virus on the plane and now I have a fever.

Tienen que limpiar bien para matar todos los bichos.

B2

They have to clean well to kill all the germs.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • un bicho contagioso – a contagious bug/virus

animal, beast

Also: pet
NounmB1informal
A cute, brown and white dog sitting and looking directly ahead with a cheerful expression.

📝 In Action

¿Qué bicho es ese? Parece un perro gigante.

B1

What animal is that? It looks like a giant dog.

Nuestro gato es un bicho perezoso que solo duerme.

B1

Our cat is a lazy critter that only sleeps.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • bicho salvaje – wild animal

weirdo, rascal

Also: pest
Nounm/fC1slang
Spain
A person wearing a bright yellow shirt, red pants, and a large, oddly shaped green hat, conveying eccentricity.

📝 In Action

Ese bicho del vecino siempre nos está espiando.

C1

That weirdo neighbor is always spying on us.

Mi hijo es un bicho, nunca para de correr.

C1

My son is a rascal; he never stops running.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Idioms & Expressions

  • ser un bicho raro – to be an oddball or eccentric person

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "bicho" in Spanish:

animal→beast→bug→critter→germ→insect→pest→pet→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: bicho

Question 1 of 2

Which meaning of 'bicho' is being used in the phrase: '¡Lávate las manos para no agarrar el bicho!'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
bichito(little bug/darling) — Noun
bicharraco(large, scary creature) — Noun
bicha(female pest/rascal (regional)) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

'Bicho' comes from the older Portuguese word *bicho*, which itself evolved from the Latin word *bestia*, meaning 'beast' or 'wild animal.' Over time, its meaning narrowed in Spanish to focus mainly on small, often unpleasant creatures, before expanding again into informal uses for people and sicknesses.

First recorded: Medieval Spanish (via Portuguese influence)

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: bicho

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'bicho' always negative?

No. While it often refers to creepy-crawlies or illnesses, it can be used neutrally for any small animal, and even affectionately for pets or naughty children.

Can I use 'bicho' to talk about a large animal like a lion?

Yes, but it's very informal. You are essentially calling the lion a 'critter' or 'beast.' It's better to use 'animal' or 'bestia' for neutral descriptions of large creatures.