Spanish Conversation · Level 82
60 words
Spanish word
contagioso
Pronunciation
IPA/kontaˈxjoso/
Meaning
- adjectivecontagious
Example
Ese resfriado es muy contagioso.
That cold is very contagious.
More examples
Una persona contagiosa puede transmitir el virus sin saberlo.
A contagious person can transmit the virus without knowing it.
Core concept
A chain of people passing a tiny virus particle along.
Common phrases
persona contagiosa
contagious person
brote contagioso
contagious outbreak
periodo contagioso
contagious period
Similar words
contagiante: Transmits to others mainly via direct contact or contaminated surfaces.
transmisible: Can be passed to others by contact or through the air.
infeccioso: Causes infection when a pathogen enters and multiplies in the body.
viral: Results from a virus infecting the body and causing illness.
Definition in Spanish
Describe algo que se transmite con facilidad de una persona a otra, tanto enfermedades como estados de ánimo.
Word origin
From Latin contagiosus, from contagio 'a touching' formed from con- 'with' + tangere 'to touch', reflecting spread through contact.
Usage tips
- English speakers sometimes equate contagious and infectious; in Spanish contagioso often emphasizes person-to-person spread and commonly appears with estar when describing someone sick.
Other meanings
- catchingadjective
Opposites
- intransmisiblenoncontagiousadjective
Related words
- contagiadoinfectedadjective
- contagiocontagionnoun