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How to Say "virus" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “virus” is “virus” — use 'virus' when referring to the microscopic infectious agent that causes disease, similar to its direct English meaning..

English → Spanish

virus

BEE-roos/ˈbiɾus/

nounA2
Use 'virus' when referring to the microscopic infectious agent that causes disease, similar to its direct English meaning.
A bright red, spiky, spherical microscopic virus floating in a blue background, depicted in a simple storybook style.

Examples

El resfriado común es causado por un virus.

The common cold is caused by a virus.

Los médicos están buscando una vacuna contra el nuevo virus.

Doctors are looking for a vaccine against the new virus.

Este virus se propaga muy rápidamente en el aire.

This virus spreads very quickly through the air.

Gender Rule

Even though it ends in '-s', 'virus' is a masculine noun. Always use 'el virus' or 'un virus'.

Confusing Gender

Mistake: “La virus es peligrosa.”

Correction: El virus es peligroso. (Remember to match the adjective ending to the masculine noun.)

bicho

/bee-cho//ˈbitʃo/

nounB2informal
Use 'bicho' informally to describe an illness or sickness you have caught, like a 'bug' or 'cold'.
Several stylized, brightly colored, simple, blob-like germs floating together.

Examples

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.

Tienen que limpiar bien para matar todos los bichos.

They have to clean well to kill all the germs.

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).

Virus vs. Bicho

Learners often confuse 'virus' and 'bicho'. Remember that 'virus' is the scientific term for the pathogen, while 'bicho' is a colloquial term for the illness itself. Don't use 'bicho' when discussing the scientific nature of a disease.

Related Translations

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