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rabia

RRAH-byahˈra.βja

“rabia” means “rage” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

rage, fury

Also: annoyance, spite
NounfB1
A cartoon character depiction of intense anger, showing a red face and steam escaping from the head.

📝 In Action

Sentí tanta rabia cuando perdí el partido que rompí la raqueta.

B1

I felt so much rage when I lost the game that I broke the racket.

Me da rabia que siempre llegues tarde.

A2

It makes me furious that you are always late. (Literally: It gives me rage...)

Actuó por pura rabia, sin pensar en las consecuencias.

B2

He acted out of pure fury, without thinking about the consequences.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • ira (wrath, anger)
  • cólera (rage, choler)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • ciego de rabia – blind with rage
  • dar rabia – to make someone furious/annoyed

Idioms & Expressions

  • estar con la rabia – to be very angry or upset about something

rabies

NounfC1formal
An illustration of a sick fox standing alone, symbolizing the viral disease rabies.

📝 In Action

La prevención de la rabia en animales domésticos es fundamental.

B2

The prevention of rabies in domestic animals is essential.

El murciélago podría transmitir la rabia.

C1

The bat could transmit rabies.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • hidrofobia (hydrophobia (historical term for rabies))

Common Collocations

  • vacuna contra la rabia – rabies vaccine
  • virus de la rabia – rabies virus

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "rabia" in Spanish:

annoyance→fury→rabies→rage→spite→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: rabia

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'rabia' to mean intense anger, rather than the disease?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
rabioso/a(furious, rabid) — Adjective
enrabiar(to enrage, to madden) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes▼
labiasavia
📚 Etymology▼

The word comes directly from the Latin word *rabia*, which meant 'madness' or 'fury.' This single Latin root gave rise to both the meaning of intense anger and the name of the disease that causes madness.

First recorded: Around the 13th century in Spanish.

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: raivaItalian: rabbia

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Frequently Asked Questions

How can I tell if 'rabia' means 'rage' or 'rabies'?

Context is your best friend! If the sentence talks about emotions, injustice, or losing a game, it means 'rage' (fury). If it talks about animals, bites, or vaccines, it means the disease 'rabies'.

Is 'rabia' stronger than 'enojo' or 'enfado'?

Yes. 'Enojo' or 'enfado' mean general anger. 'Rabia' is much stronger; it implies fury, resentment, or uncontrollable rage, often felt deep inside.