Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Flu in Spanish
Gripe · noun · GREE-peh
The flu in Spanish is 'gripe' (used in Spain, Argentina, and most countries) or 'gripa' (used in Mexico and Colombia). The formal medical term 'influenza' is also used in clinical settings. Unlike in English where 'flu' is informal for 'influenza,' both 'gripe' and 'gripa' are perfectly acceptable in all registers.
In Spain and most countries, say GREE-peh for 'gripe.' In Mexico and Colombia, say GREE-pah for 'gripa.' Both are two-syllable words with stress on the first syllable.
No pude ir a trabajar porque tenía gripe.
I couldn't go to work because I had the flu.
Flu in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for flu, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| gripe | flu | GREE-peh | Default, widely understood |
| gripa | flu | Mexico, Colombia | |
| influenza | flu | medical/formal |
How Native Speakers Use Gripe
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Calling in sick
Tengo gripa y fiebre, no voy a poder ir hoy.
I have the flu and a fever, I won't be able to go today.
Mexican usage with 'gripa,' common when explaining an absence.
Prevention
¿Ya te pusiste la vacuna contra la gripe este año?
Did you already get the flu vaccine this year?
Discussing flu vaccination using the phrase 'vacuna contra la gripe.'
Symptoms
La gripe me dejó en cama toda la semana con dolor de cuerpo.
The flu left me in bed all week with body aches.
Describing the severity of flu symptoms and their impact.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Gripe
Using 'flu' directly in Spanish
Incorrect: Tengo flu y me siento terrible.
Correct: Tengo gripe y me siento terrible.
The English word 'flu' is not used in Spanish. You must use 'gripe,' 'gripa,' or 'influenza' depending on the region and formality level.
Confusing a cold with the flu
Incorrect: Tengo gripe. (when you have a mild cold)
Correct: Tengo un resfriado/catarro. (for a cold)
In Spanish, as in English, 'gripe/gripa' refers specifically to influenza (high fever, body aches), while a common cold is 'resfriado' or 'catarro.' Using 'gripe' for a mild cold overstates the illness.
Lock in Flu 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 Gripe used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using gripe in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear No pude ir a trabajar porque tenía gripe. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Flu in Spanish
- Is it 'la gripe' or 'el gripe'?
- In standard Spanish, 'gripe' is feminine (la gripe), though in some regions of Spain you may occasionally hear 'el gripe' in older or dialectal usage—the feminine form is universally correct and recommended by the Real Academia Española.
- What's the difference between 'gripe' and 'resfriado'?
- A gripe (flu/influenza) is a more severe viral infection characterized by high fever, intense body aches, and fatigue lasting over a week, while a resfriado (common cold) is milder with symptoms like runny nose and sneezing that resolve in a few days.
- How do you say 'flu season' in Spanish?
- Flu season is translated as 'temporada de gripe' or 'época de gripe,' and health authorities in Spanish-speaking countries typically begin vaccination campaigns in autumn, referring to this period as 'la campaña de vacunación contra la influenza.'