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"Peste" is a noun which is often translated as "plague", and "plaga" is a noun which is also often translated as "plague". Learn more about the difference between "peste" and "plaga" below.
la peste(
pehs
-
teh
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (illness)
2. (illness) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. cold
Tengo una peste horrible y no podré ir a trabajar.I have a horrible cold and I won't be able to go to work.
3. (bad smell)
a. stink
La maestra dice que ya no aguanta la peste de los baños estudiantiles.The teacher says that she can't stand the stink of the student bathrooms.
b. stench
Subimos las ventanillas para no oler la peste de la fábrica de aceite.We rolled up the car windows not to smell the stench of the oil factory.
4. (colloquial) (annoying person)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
la plaga(
plah
-
gah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
2. (illness)
a. plague
Nuevos estudios indican que la plaga fue transmitida por jerbos durante la Edad Media.New studies indicate that the plague was transmitted by gerbils during the Middle Ages.
3. (calamity)
a. scourge
La guerra supone una plaga para la ciudad donde se produce.War is a scourge to the city it takes place in.
b. plague
La plaga de la contaminación está afectando a la salud de los ciudadanos.The plague of pollution is affecting citizens' health.
c. affliction
El cáncer es una plaga que cobra la vida de muchas personas cada año.Cancer is an affliction that claims many lives each year.
4. (pejorative) (abundance)
An offensive word or phrase used to degrade a person or group of people based on race, gender, sexual preference, etc. (e.g., redneck).
a. glut (pejorative)
An offensive word or phrase used to degrade a person or group of people based on race, gender, sexual preference, etc. (e.g., redneck).
Últimamente hay una plaga de rumores sobre este cantante.There is a glut of rumors about this singer lately.
b. plague (pejorative)
An offensive word or phrase used to degrade a person or group of people based on race, gender, sexual preference, etc. (e.g., redneck).
El inglés es una plaga que está reemplazando a los idiomas minoritarios.English is a plague that is replacing minority languages.
