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How to Say "snake" in Spanish

English → Spanish

serpiente

ser-PYEN-teh/seɾˈpjente/

nounA2general
Use 'serpiente' for the actual reptile, the slithering animal, or metaphorically for a sly, untrustworthy person.
A realistic, thick green snake coiled up on a smooth brown branch in a sunny jungle environment.

Examples

La serpiente se deslizó silenciosamente entre las rocas.

The snake slid silently between the rocks.

Debemos tener cuidado, hay serpientes venenosas en este bosque.

We must be careful, there are poisonous snakes in this forest.

Cuidado con ese hombre, es una serpiente; te traicionará.

Be careful with that man, he is a snake; he will betray you.

Ella sonríe mucho, pero en el fondo es una serpiente.

She smiles a lot, but deep down she is a viper.

Always Feminine

Even if you are talking about a male snake, 'serpiente' is always a feminine word, so you must use 'la' or 'una'.

Gender Consistency

When used figuratively, the word 'serpiente' remains feminine ('una serpiente') even if you are talking about a man. It describes his character, not his biological gender.

Using Masculine Article

Mistake: “Él es un serpiente.”

Correction: Él es una serpiente. (The noun itself is feminine, even when referring to a male person.)

víbora

nounB2general
Use 'víbora' specifically when referring to a spiteful, malicious, or treacherous person, emphasizing their hurtful nature.

Examples

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

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

Serpiente vs. Víbora for People

Learners often confuse 'serpiente' and 'víbora' when referring to people. While both can mean a treacherous person, 'víbora' carries a stronger sense of malice and spite, implying someone who actively seeks to cause harm, whereas 'serpiente' is a more general term for someone sly or deceitful.

Related Translations

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