Spanish vocabulary · Intermediate
Viruela in English: Smallpox
Viruela · noun · bee-roo-EH-lah
The Spanish word 'viruela' translates to 'smallpox' in English, referring to the severe and historically devastating infectious disease caused by the variola virus. 'Viruela' can also appear in the plural 'viruelas' to describe pockmarks left by the disease. It should not be confused with 'varicela,' which means chickenpox.
bee-roo-EH-lah
La viruela fue erradicada gracias a la vacunación masiva.
Smallpox was eradicated thanks to mass vaccination.
Viruela in English in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for viruela in english, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| viruela | viruela in english | bee-roo-EH-lah | Default, widely understood |
| varicela | viruela in english | chickenpox, a milder related disease |
How Native Speakers Use Viruela
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
History class
La viruela mató a millones de personas antes de que existiera la vacuna.
Smallpox killed millions of people before the vaccine existed.
Historical discussion about the disease's devastating impact.
Medical context
La Organización Mundial de la Salud declaró la viruela erradicada en 1980.
The World Health Organization declared smallpox eradicated in 1980.
Referencing a landmark public health achievement.
Describing marks
Mi bisabuelo tenía cicatrices de viruela en la cara.
My great-grandfather had smallpox scars on his face.
Describing physical evidence of a past infection.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Viruela
Confusing viruela and varicela
Incorrect: Mi hijo tiene viruela, pero es leve.
Correct: Mi hijo tiene varicela, pero es leve.
'Viruela' is smallpox, a severe and historically lethal disease now eradicated. 'Varicela' is chickenpox, a much milder childhood illness. Mixing them up creates serious miscommunication.
Translating as 'virus'
Incorrect: Viruela means 'virus' in English.
Correct: Viruela means 'smallpox' in English.
Although 'viruela' shares a root with 'virus,' they are different words. 'Viruela' specifically means smallpox, while 'virus' in Spanish is simply 'virus.'
Lock in Viruela in English Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
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See Viruela used by native speakers
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Common Questions About Viruela in English in Spanish
- What does 'viruela' mean in English?
- 'Viruela' translates to 'smallpox,' the infectious disease caused by the variola virus. It was one of the deadliest diseases in human history before being officially eradicated through global vaccination efforts in 1980.
- Is 'viruela' the same as 'varicela'?
- They are completely different diseases. 'Viruela' (smallpox) was a severe, often fatal illness that left deep scars. 'Varicela' (chickenpox) is a common childhood illness caused by a different virus that is generally mild and self-limiting.
- Where does the word 'viruela' come from?
- The word 'viruela' derives from the Latin 'variola,' meaning spotted or pimpled, referencing the characteristic skin lesions the disease produces. Over centuries, the Latin term evolved into the Spanish 'viruela' through standard phonetic changes.