Spanish Basic Health Vocabulary
Before jumping into phrases, it’s important to build a strong foundation of health-related vocabulary. Let’s start with some common terms you will hear and use when discussing health.
Body Parts (Partes del Cuerpo)
Knowing the words for basic body parts is essential when talking about symptoms or injuries. Here’s a list of common body parts:
- Cabeza – Head
- Ojos – Eyes
- Nariz – Nose
- Boca – Mouth
- Dientes – Teeth
- Garganta – Throat
- Cuello – Neck
- Hombro – Shoulder
- Brazo – Arm
- Codo – Elbow
- Mano – Hand
- Dedos – Fingers
- Pecho – Chest
- Estómago – Stomach
- Pierna – Leg
- Rodilla – Knee
- Pie – Foot
Common Symptoms (Síntomas Comunes)
When talking about health, it's important to know how to describe your symptoms. Here are some common symptoms you might need to talk about:
- Dolor – Pain
- Fiebre – Fever
- Tos – Cough
- Resfriado – Cold
- Estornudo – Sneeze
- Mareado – Dizzy
- Náuseas – Nausea
- Vómito – Vomiting
- Cansancio – Tiredness
- Infección – Infection
Medical Conditions (Condiciones Médicas)
Here are some basic words for common medical conditions:
- Asma – Asthma
- Diabetes – Diabetes
- Hipertensión – Hypertension
- Alergia – Allergy
- Ataque al corazón – Heart attack
- Fractura – Fracture
- Enfermedad – Illness
- Lesión – Injury
- Presión arterial – Blood pressure
Spanish Phrases for Describing Symptoms and Asking for Help
Once you know some basic vocabulary, the next step is learning how to put those words into phrases that you can use in real conversations.
How to Describe Pain
Describing pain accurately is key when talking to a doctor or nurse. Here are some useful phrases:
Tengo dolor en... – I have pain in my...
Example: Tengo dolor en mi estómago. (I have pain in my stomach.)
Me duele... – My ... hurts
Example: Me duele la cabeza. (My head hurts.)
Estoy mareado/a. – I feel dizzy.
Me siento débil. – I feel weak.
Tengo fiebre. – I have a fever.
How to Ask for Help or Directions in Spanish
In some situations, especially when you’re in an unfamiliar place, you may need to ask for directions or help in a medical setting. Here are some useful questions:
¿Dónde está el hospital? – Where is the hospital?
¿Hay una farmacia cerca? – Is there a pharmacy nearby?
Necesito un médico. – I need a doctor.
¿Cómo puedo ir al centro de salud? – How can I get to the health center?
Spanish Common Conversations with Medical Professionals
When you go to the doctor’s office or visit a hospital, you’ll often have to describe your symptoms and answer questions about your health. Here’s a typical dialogue that might take place between a patient and a doctor:
Doctor-Patient Dialogue
Doctor: ¿Qué le trae aquí hoy? **(What brings you here today?)_
Patient: Tengo dolor en el estómago y fiebre. **(I have stomach pain and a fever.)_
Doctor: ¿Desde cuándo tiene estos síntomas? **(How long have you had these symptoms?)_
Patient: Desde hace dos días. **(For two days.)_
Doctor: Voy a tomar su temperatura y revisar su presión arterial. **(I’m going to take your temperature and check your blood pressure.)_
Phrases for Emergencies
Emergencies require quick communication. Here are phrases you can use if you're in a medical emergency:
¡Ayuda! – Help!
Llama a una ambulancia. – Call an ambulance.
No puedo respirar. – I can’t breathe.
Estoy teniendo un ataque al corazón. – I’m having a heart attack.
Estoy sangrando. – I’m bleeding.
Spanish Pharmacy and Medications Vocabulary
When you're visiting a pharmacy, there are some key words and phrases you'll need to know. Whether you're buying over-the-counter medications or picking up a prescription, these phrases will help you communicate effectively.
Asking for Medications
¿Tienen algo para el dolor de cabeza? – Do you have something for a headache?
Necesito un medicamento para la tos. – I need medicine for a cough.
¿Tienen pastillas para el resfriado? – Do you have cold tablets?
¿Puedo comprar este medicamento sin receta? – Can I buy this medicine without a prescription?
Dosage and Instructions
Once you have your medication, you’ll need to understand the instructions. Here are common phrases related to dosage:
¿Cuántas veces al día debo tomarlo? – How many times a day should I take it?
Tome una pastilla cada 8 horas. – Take one pill every 8 hours.
No tome más de dos pastillas al día. – Do not take more than two pills a day.
Este medicamento puede causar somnolencia. – This medicine may cause drowsiness.
Spanish Quiz: Test Your Health Vocabulary in Spanish
Now that you’ve learned a lot of health-related vocabulary and phrases, it’s time to test your knowledge! Below is a quiz to see how well you’ve mastered these terms.
1. What is the Spanish word for “head”?
A) Hombro
B) Cabeza
C) Mano
D) Pie
2. How do you say “I have a fever” in Spanish?
A) Tengo fiebre.
B) Tengo tos.
C) Me duele la cabeza.
D) Estoy mareado/a.
3. Which phrase means “Call an ambulance”?
A) Necesito un médico.
B) Llama a una ambulancia.
C) ¿Dónde está la farmacia?
D) No puedo respirar.
4. If you want to say "I feel dizzy," what would you say?
A) Me siento débil.
B) Tengo fiebre.
C) Estoy mareado/a.
D) Estoy sangrando.
5. How would you ask for cough medicine in a pharmacy?
A) ¿Tienen algo para el dolor de cabeza?
B) ¿Puedo comprar este medicamento sin receta?
C) ¿Tienen pastillas para el resfriado?
D) Necesito un medicamento para la tos.
By mastering these health-related vocabulary words and phrases in Spanish, you will be better prepared to communicate about your health in a variety of situations. Whether you're traveling, living in a Spanish-speaking country, or working in healthcare, knowing how to describe symptoms, ask for help, and understand medical instructions is crucial. Don't forget to practice regularly to solidify your learning!
Good luck with your studies, and I hope you ace the quiz!
