subtipo

Subtipo is a Spanish noun meaning a more specific kind within a broader category, equivalent to the English subtype. It derives from sub- (under) and tipo (type). The term is common in scientific and technical writing, where precise classification is needed to distinguish variants that share a general category but differ in relevant characteristics.

In biology and medicine, subtipo is used to mark distinct forms within a species, virus, tumor, or disease. Examples include influenza subtipo H1N1 and cancer subtypes such as luminal A and luminal B, or diabetes subtypes defined by pathophysiology. In information science and data modeling, subtipo can denote a nested or more specific class within a broader type, aiding in data annotation and ontology design.

In linguistics and social sciences, subtipo may be used to describe a subdivision within a language or cultural category, though other terms like variante or subdialecto are also common depending on the context. The term is masculine: el subtipo; the plural is subtipos.

See also: subtype; taxonomy; classification; ontology.