Are you struggling to understand the coronavirus vocabulary in Spanish?

March 14, 2020Spanish ExpressFree Spanish Resources

How do you say ‘coronavirus’ in Spanish? Simply put “el coronavirus”.

The scientific name for the new virus is the same in every language: Covid-19 but you will sometimes see it as SARS-CoV-2.

What is the current situation in Spain?

Spain is the worst-hit country in Europe after Italy. The Spanish government has put the country under lockdown as part of its state of emergency measures in order to combat the spread of coronavirus. Therefore, people are allowed out only for emergencies, to buy food, or for work.

In Spain, more than 6000 people have tested positive for the coronavirus to date. They have been put in isolation either at home or in hospital.

What precautions have they taken?

el aislamiento preventivo – preventative isolation
aislado en su domicilio – self-isolation
cuarentena – quarantine
la mascarilla – a protective face mask

Do we need to be tested?

pruebas – tests
dar positivo – positive
dar negativo – negative

What are the main three symptoms that are associated with the coronavirus?

la fiebre – A fever above 38C
la tos – a cough
la sensación de falta de aire – shortness of breath

Would you like to learn some basic Spanish vocabulary?

el brote – the outbreak
la epidemia – the epidemic
la emergencia – the emergency
el foco de contagios – the infection hotspot
la transmisión – the transmission
la transmisión secundaria – person-to-person transmission
la suma de infectados – number of infected
los afectados – those affected
los ingresados – those admitted into hospital
los recuperados – those recovered
los muertos, fallecidos – those dead
el aislamiento preventivo – preventative isolation
la unidad de cuidados intensivos (la UCI) – intensive care unit
la situación clínica grave – serious condition
el estado crítico – critical state
la sintomatología leve – light symptoms
las personas asintomáticas – asymptomatic people

What should we do?

Si estornudas, o toses, cúbrete la boca y la nariz con pañuelos desechables – If you sneeze or cough, cover your mouth and nose with a disposable tissue.
Lávate las manos frecuentemente – Wash your hands regularly.
No te toques la boca, la cara o los ojos con las manos – Don’t touch your mouth, face, or eyes with your hands.