Spanish word

picadura

Pronunciation

IPA/pikaˈðuɾa/

Meaning

  • feminine nounbug bite

Example

Me salió una picadura en el brazo después de la caminata.

I got a bug bite on my arm after the walk.

Illustration for picadura (bug bite)

More examples

Para calmar la picazón, pon hielo en la picadura.

To soothe the itching, put ice on the bug bite.

Core concept

Small raised or reddened mark on the skin caused by a bite or sting, usually itchy.

Common phrases

  • tener una picadura

    have a bug bite

  • rascarse la picadura

    scratch the bug bite

  • poner hielo en la picadura

    put ice on the bug bite

Similar words

picazón: Intense itchy sensation on the skin that prompts scratching.
roncha: Raised red swollen bump on the skin, often rounded and slightly itchy.
mordedura: Wound caused by a human or animal bite, often with punctures or torn skin.
picotazo: Tiny prick-like sting that leaves a small red dot and brief, sharp pain.

Definition in Spanish

Marca u hinchazón pequeña en la piel que resulta de la acción de picar, especialmente por insectos, y que suele causar picor.

Word origin

It is derived from Spanish picar 'to sting or bite' plus the nominalizing suffix -adura, ultimately from Late Latin *piccare.

Usage tips

  • Spanish uses picadura for the physical wound ('tengo una picadura') while picazón names the itching sensation, and mordedura denotes a bite by a larger animal.

Other meanings

  • stingnoun
  • pricknoun

Related words

  • picarstingverb
  • picazónitchnoun

Word lists with this word