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vampiro

vam-PEE-roh/bamˈpiɾo/

“vampiro” means “vampire” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

vampire

NounmA2
A high quality storybook illustration of a classic cartoon vampire wearing a black suit and a high-collared black and red cape, showing small pointed fangs.

📝 In Action

Según la leyenda, el vampiro solo puede ser destruido con una estaca de madera.

B1

According to legend, the vampire can only be destroyed with a wooden stake.

Los vampiros duermen en ataúdes durante el día y salen de noche.

A2

Vampires sleep in coffins during the day and come out at night.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • chupasangre (blood-sucker)

Common Collocations

  • película de vampiros – vampire movie
  • mordida de vampiro – vampire bite

exploiter, leech

Also: energy drainer
NounmB2informal
A storybook illustration showing one figure actively using a simple pump to siphon brightly colored liquid (representing resources) from a large, full container into a small, nearly empty container they hold.

📝 In Action

Esa empresa es un vampiro financiero; solo busca robar a sus clientes.

B2

That company is a financial exploiter; it only seeks to rob its clients.

Mi compañero de trabajo es un vampiro de energía; me deja agotado después de cada reunión.

B2

My coworker is an energy drainer; he leaves me exhausted after every meeting.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • abusador (abuser)
  • gorrista (moocher)

Common Collocations

  • vampiro de energía – energy vampire/drainer

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "vampiro" in Spanish:

energy drainer→exploiter→leech→vampire→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: vampiro

Question 1 of 1

¿Cuál de las siguientes frases usa 'vampiro' en su sentido figurado?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
vampira(female vampire) — Noun
vampírico(vampiric) — Adjective
vampirismo(vampirism) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
retirosuspiro
📚 Etymology▼

This word traveled a long way! It comes from the Slavic word 'vampir' (likely Serbian or Hungarian), which entered Western Europe through German and French literature in the 18th century, referring to the creatures of folklore.

First recorded: 18th century (in Western European languages)

Cognates (Related words)

English: vampireFrench: vampireGerman: Vampir

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Frequently Asked Questions

¿Se puede usar 'vampiro' para referirse a una mujer?

No, 'vampiro' is masculine. To refer to a female vampire, you must use the feminine form, 'vampira'.

¿Es un insulto usar 'vampiro de energía'?

Yes, it is usually a negative and informal description. It means the person is selfish or emotionally draining, and you wouldn't use it in a formal setting.