Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Chicken Pox in Spanish: Varicela
Varicela · noun · bah-ree-SEH-lah
Varicela is the Spanish medical term for chicken pox, the highly contagious viral infection that causes an itchy rash of fluid-filled blisters. The name has no connection to chickens — it comes from medical Latin. In some Latin American regions, the colloquial term 'viruela loca' (crazy smallpox) is used, distinguishing it from actual smallpox (viruela).
bah-ree-SEH-lah
Mi hijo tuvo varicela cuando tenía seis años.
My son had chicken pox when he was six years old.
Chicken Pox in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for chicken pox, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| varicela | chicken pox | bah-ree-SEH-lah | Default, widely understood |
| viruela loca | chicken pox | colloquial, some regions |
How Native Speakers Use Varicela
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Childhood illness
Todos los niños de la clase se contagiaron de varicela.
All the kids in the class caught chicken pox.
Discussing a common childhood disease.
Vaccination
La vacuna contra la varicela se aplica a los doce meses.
The chicken pox vaccine is given at twelve months.
Pediatric vaccination schedule.
Symptoms
La varicela produce ampollas que causan mucha picazón.
Chicken pox produces blisters that cause a lot of itching.
Describing symptoms to a doctor.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Varicela
Literal translation with chicken
Incorrect: Mi hija tiene la viruela de pollo.
Correct: Mi hija tiene varicela.
The English name 'chicken pox' does not translate literally. The Spanish term 'varicela' has no connection to pollo (chicken). Using 'viruela de pollo' would be confusing and incorrect.
Confusing with viruela
Incorrect: Cuando era niño tuve viruela.
Correct: Cuando era niño tuve varicela.
Viruela means smallpox, a far more serious and historically deadly disease. Varicela (chicken pox) is the common childhood illness. Confusing the two could cause unnecessary alarm.
Lock in Chicken Pox Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Varicela used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using varicela in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Mi hijo tuvo varicela cuando tenía seis años. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
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Common Questions About Chicken Pox in Spanish
- Why is chicken pox not related to chickens in Spanish?
- The Spanish name 'varicela' comes from medical Latin and is unrelated to any animal. Even in English, the origin of 'chicken' in chicken pox is debated — it may come from an Old English word meaning 'itching' rather than the bird. Spanish simply uses the scientific name directly.
- What is the difference between varicela and viruela?
- Varicela (chicken pox) is a generally mild childhood illness caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Viruela (smallpox) was a devastating disease caused by the variola virus that has been eradicated since 1980. Despite the similar-sounding names, they are completely different diseases.
- Can adults get varicela in Spanish-speaking countries?
- Adults can indeed contract varicela if they were never infected as children and were not vaccinated. Adult cases tend to be more severe. In Spanish, you would say 'varicela en adultos' and doctors recommend the vaccine for susceptible adults.