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víbora

BEE-bo-rah/ˈbi.βo.ɾa/

“víbora” means “viper” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

viper

Also: adder
NounfB1
A venomous viper snake coiled on a flat rock in a desert setting.

📝 In Action

Ten cuidado al caminar por las rocas, podría haber una víbora.

A2

Be careful when walking on the rocks; there might be a viper.

La víbora es una serpiente venenosa con colmillos largos.

B1

The viper is a poisonous snake with long fangs.

El biólogo identificó a la víbora por su cabeza triangular.

B2

The biologist identified the viper by its triangular head.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • serpiente (snake)
  • culebra (colubrid snake (often harmless))

Common Collocations

  • picadura de víbora – viper bite
  • nido de víboras – nest of vipers (often used figuratively)

snake

Also: spiteful person
NounfB2informal
A cartoon snake wearing a dark hooded cloak, hiding behind a tree with a sly expression.

📝 In Action

No confíes en él, es una víbora que solo busca lastimar.

B1

Don't trust him; he's a snake who only looks to hurt people.

Su tía es una víbora; siempre está criticando a todo el mundo.

B2

His aunt is a snake; she's always criticizing everyone.

¡Qué comentario más venenoso! Eres una víbora.

C1

What a poisonous comment! You're such a snake.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • malintencionado (ill-intentioned)
  • traidor (traitor)

Antonyms

  • buenazo (good-natured person)
  • pan de Dios (saintly person (literal: bread of God))

Common Collocations

  • lengua de víbora – a sharp/malicious tongue
  • ser una víbora – to be a snake/spiteful

Idioms & Expressions

  • tener lengua de víbora – To constantly say mean things about others.

Vocabulary Collections

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "víbora" in Spanish:

adder→spiteful person→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: víbora

Question 1 of 3

If you want to say a male snake is a viper, how do you say it?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
viborilla(little viper) — Noun
viborera(viper's bugloss (a plant) or a viper's nest) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
pólvora
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin 'vipera', which was a shortened version of 'vivipara'. This literally means 'living-birth' because, unlike most snakes that lay eggs, vipers give birth to live babies.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: viperFrench: vipère

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is a 'víbora' always dangerous?

In the animal kingdom, yes; vipers are venomous snakes. Figuratively, it refers to someone who is emotionally harmful or untrustworthy.

Can I use 'víbora' for a man?

Yes! You can say 'Él es una víbora' to describe a man who is spiteful or gossips maliciously. Note that you still use 'una' (feminine).

What is the difference between 'víbora' and 'serpiente'?

'Serpiente' is the general word for any snake. 'Víbora' refers specifically to vipers, which are characterized by their venom and triangular heads.