Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
What Does Piojos Mean in English?
Piojos · noun · PYOH-hohs
The Spanish word 'piojos' translates to 'lice' in English — the plural of 'piojo' (louse). Piojos are tiny parasitic insects that infest the scalp, feeding on blood and causing intense itching. This term frequently comes up in school health communications, pharmacy visits, and pediatric conversations in bilingual households.
Piojos is pronounced PYOH-hohs. The 'j' makes a strong aspirated 'h' sound, and the stress falls on the first syllable. The singular piojo follows the same pattern: PYOH-hoh.
Mi hijo tiene piojos y no puede ir a la escuela.
My son has lice and can't go to school.
Piojos (Lice) in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for piojos (lice), with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| piojos | piojos (lice) | PYOH-hohs | Default, widely understood |
| piojo | piojos (lice) | singular form meaning one louse |
How Native Speakers Use Piojos
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Pharmacy visit
¿Tiene algún tratamiento para los piojos?
Do you have any treatment for lice?
Asking a pharmacist for a lice remedy.
School report
Le encontraron piojos a varios niños en la escuela.
Lice were found on several children at school.
A report from school health services.
Home remedy
Mi mamá usaba vinagre para combatir los piojos.
My mom used vinegar to fight lice.
Sharing a traditional home remedy.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Piojos
Using an English-based word
Incorrect: Mi hija tiene laices en el pelo.
Correct: Mi hija tiene piojos en el pelo.
There is no Spanish word 'laices' — the correct word for lice is 'piojos.'
Confusing piojos with pulgas
Incorrect: Los piojos del perro están por toda la casa.
Correct: Las pulgas del perro están por toda la casa.
Piojos (lice) live on human scalps, while pulgas (fleas) are the parasites commonly found on pets.
Lock in Piojos (Lice) Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
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See Piojos used by native speakers
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Common Questions About Piojos (Lice) in Spanish
- What is the singular of piojos?
- The singular is 'piojo,' referring to a single louse — though in practice, infestations always involve multiple piojos.
- Is piojo masculine or feminine?
- Piojo is a masculine noun, so it takes the articles 'el' (singular) and 'los' (plural): 'el piojo,' 'los piojos.'
- What is the difference between piojos and liendres?
- Piojos are the live adult insects that crawl on the scalp, while liendres are the tiny eggs (nits) that female lice attach to individual hair strands.