Spanish vocabulary · Intermediate
How to Say Ringworm in Spanish: Tiña
Tiña · noun (feminine) · TEE-nyah
Ringworm in Spanish is tiña, a feminine noun for this fungal skin infection that appears as circular rashes.
Tiña is TEE-nyah, two syllables with the ñ producing a ny sound.
El dermatólogo le diagnosticó tiña en el cuero cabelludo.
The dermatologist diagnosed him with ringworm on the scalp.
Ringworm in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for ringworm, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| tiña | ringworm | TEE-nyah | Default, widely understood |
| dermatofitosis | ringworm | medical/clinical terminology |
How Native Speakers Use Tiña
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Medical visit
Necesitas una crema antifúngica para tratar la tiña.
You need an antifungal cream to treat the ringworm.
Doctor giving treatment advice.
Contagion warning
La tiña es contagiosa, así que no compartas toallas.
Ringworm is contagious, so don't share towels.
Health precaution advice.
Pet-related
El gato le contagió la tiña a mi hijo.
The cat gave my son ringworm.
Common transmission from animals.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Tiña
Translating literally as gusano anillo
Incorrect: Mi hijo tiene un gusano anillo en el brazo.
Correct: Mi hijo tiene tiña en el brazo.
Ringworm is not actually a worm; it's a fungal infection called tiña—never translate it literally.
Confusing tiña with piña
Incorrect: Le diagnosticaron piña en la piel.
Correct: Le diagnosticaron tiña en la piel.
Piña means pineapple; tiña (with t) is the medical condition ringworm.
Lock in Ringworm 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 Tiña used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using tiña in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear El dermatólogo le diagnosticó tiña en el cuero cabelludo. 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 Ringworm in Spanish
- How do you say ringworm in Spanish?
- The medical term is tiña, which refers to various types of fungal skin infections that create ring-shaped rashes on the body, scalp, or feet.
- Is ringworm actually a worm?
- Despite its English name, ringworm (tiña) is caused by a fungus, not a worm—the name comes from the circular ring-shaped rash it produces on the skin.
- What are the types of tiña in Spanish?
- Specific forms include tiña del cuero cabelludo (scalp ringworm), tiña corporal (body ringworm), tiña del pie (athlete's foot), and tiña inguinal (jock itch), each named for the affected body area.