Inklingo

How to Say "bug" in Spanish

English → Spanish

bicho

/bee-cho//ˈbitʃo/

nounA2informal
Use this informal term for any small creature, especially an insect, or for a mild illness like a cold or flu.
A vibrant red ladybug with black spots resting on a large green leaf.

Examples

¡Cuidado con ese bicho en la pared!

Watch out for that bug on the wall!

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

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

Los niños estaban buscando bichos debajo de las piedras.

The children were looking for critters under the rocks.

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

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

Always Masculine

Even if the creature is female, 'bicho' is always used with masculine articles (el bicho, un bicho).

Catching a Sickness

When referring to catching an illness, Spanish often uses 'agarrar un bicho' (to grab a bug) or 'coger un bicho' (to catch a bug).

Confusing Gender

Mistake: “La bicha (unless referring to a regional slang for a female person)”

Correction: Use 'el bicho' for insects/animals; the feminine form 'bicha' is rarely used in this context.

insecto

/een-SEK-toh//inˈsekto/

nounA1general
This is the most direct and general translation for 'insect' when referring to the class of arthropods.
A colorful cartoon beetle with six legs and a segmented body on a green leaf.

Examples

La mariposa es un insecto hermoso.

The butterfly is a beautiful insect.

La abeja es un insecto muy trabajador.

The bee is a very hardworking insect.

Hay muchos insectos en el jardín durante el verano.

There are many bugs in the garden during the summer.

¡Quita ese insecto de mi mesa!

Get that bug off my table!

Masculine Noun

This word is masculine, so you should always use 'el' or 'un' with it (el insecto, un insecto), even if you are talking about a female bug!

Insects vs. Spiders

Mistake: “Calling a spider 'un insecto' in a biology exam.”

Correction: While people often call any small crawly thing an 'insecto' or 'bicho', technically spiders are arachnids. Use 'insecto' strictly for six-legged creatures if you want to be precise.

virus

BEE-roos/ˈbiɾus/

nounB1informal
Use this word specifically when referring to a computer problem or malicious software.
A small, menacing, green cartoon creature with sharp teeth aggressively biting a generic, gray computer screen icon, illustrating malicious software.

Examples

Mi computadora está lenta, creo que tiene un virus.

My computer is slow, I think it has a virus.

Necesito instalar un antivirus porque mi laptop tiene un virus.

I need to install antivirus software because my laptop has a virus.

Ese rumor fue como un virus que dañó la reputación de la empresa.

That rumor was like a virus that damaged the company's reputation.

Figurative Use

You can use 'virus' metaphorically to describe anything that spreads and causes harm, like bad ideas, corruption, or rumors.

Bicho vs. Insecto

Learners often use 'insecto' for all small creatures. Remember that 'bicho' is a more common, informal term for any small creature, including insects, and can also refer to an illness. Use 'insecto' for the scientific classification.

Related Translations

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