coronavirus

/koɾoˈnaβiɾus/
nounIntermediateLoanword from Englishcoronavirus
🏥Medicine
technical

A type of virus named for its crown-like appearance under a microscope, often causing respiratory infections in humans and animals.

Los científicos estudian el coronavirus para desarrollar vacunas.

Scientists study the coronavirus to develop vaccines.

💡

The term 'coronavirus' refers to a family of viruses, with some strains causing severe diseases like COVID-19.

Collocations

coronavirus mutantemutant coronavirusvacuna contra el coronaviruscoronavirus vaccine

Synonyms

Related Phrases

estar en cuarentenaphrase
to be in quarantine
distanciamiento socialphrase
social distancing

💡Pro Tip

Medical Context

In Spanish, 'coronavirus' is often used interchangeably with 'COVID-19' in casual conversation, but technically, COVID-19 is the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, a type of coronavirus.

Gold Rule

Capitalization

In Spanish, 'coronavirus' is written in lowercase unless it starts a sentence or is part of a proper noun (e.g., 'Coronavirus de Wuhan').

📖Word Origin

From English 'coronavirus', derived from Latin 'corona' (crown) and 'virus' (poison), named for the virus's crown-like appearance under a microscope.

📝Usage Notes

The term is commonly used in medical and scientific contexts, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. It is also used colloquially to refer to the SARS-CoV-2 virus specifically.

Word Breakdown

corona
crown
root
+
virus
poison or infectious agent
root
Diccionario Español-Inglés