Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say "Measles" in Spanish
Sarampión · noun (masculine, singular) · sah-rahm-PYOHN
"Measles" is "sarampión" in Spanish—a masculine singular noun. Unlike English, where "measles" takes a plural form, Spanish treats it as singular: "el sarampión."
sah-rahm-PYOHN
El doctor confirmó que el niño tiene sarampión.
The doctor confirmed that the child has measles.
Measles in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for measles, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| sarampión | measles | sah-rahm-PYOHN | Default, widely understood |
| sarampión | measles | Universal |
How Native Speakers Use Sarampión
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Medical diagnosis
El pediatra diagnosticó sarampión después de ver las manchas rojas.
The pediatrician diagnosed measles after seeing the red spots.
A clinical setting where a doctor identifies the illness.
Vaccination
La vacuna contra el sarampión se administra a los doce meses de edad.
The measles vaccine is given at twelve months of age.
Discussing immunization schedules for children.
School notification
La escuela envió una carta avisando de un brote de sarampión.
The school sent a letter warning about a measles outbreak.
A community health notice about a contagious disease.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Sarampión
Using a plural article
Incorrect: Los sarampiones son contagiosos.
Correct: El sarampión es contagioso.
"Sarampión" is a singular, uncountable noun in Spanish. It does not have a standard plural form. Always use the singular article "el" and a singular adjective.
Confusing with "sarpullido" (rash)
Incorrect: Mi hijo tiene sarpullido, creo que es sarampión.
Correct: Mi hijo tiene un sarpullido. ¿Podría ser sarampión?
"Sarpullido" means "rash" and is a symptom, not the disease itself. While measles causes a rash, the two words are not interchangeable. The rash is a sign of sarampión, not a synonym.
Lock in Measles 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 Sarampión used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using sarampión in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear El doctor confirmó que el niño tiene sarampión. 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 Measles in Spanish
- Is "sarampión" masculine or feminine?
- "Sarampión" is masculine. You say "el sarampión" and pair it with masculine adjectives, for example: "El sarampión es muy contagioso" (Measles is very contagious).
- Why is "measles" plural in English but singular in Spanish?
- English historically pluralized certain disease names (like measles, mumps, shingles), but Spanish treats "sarampión" as a standard singular noun. This is simply a grammatical difference between the two languages.
- How do you say "German measles" (rubella) in Spanish?
- "German measles" or rubella is called "rubéola" in Spanish. It is a different disease from "sarampión" and should not be confused with it, even though both involve a skin rash.