Body Parts and Health-Related Vocabulary

When you need medical attention in a Spanish-speaking environment, knowing the right vocabulary can be crucial. This guide covers essential Spanish health vocabulary you’ll need to communicate effectively with healthcare providers.

Body Parts (Las Partes del Cuerpo)

  • Your head and face:
    • La cabeza (head) – “Me duele la cabeza” (I have a headache)
    • Los ojos (eyes) – “Tengo los ojos irritados” (My eyes are irritated)
    • La garganta (throat) – “Me duele la garganta” (My throat hurts)
  • Your torso:
    • El estómago (stomach) – “Tengo dolor de estómago” (I have a stomachache)
    • El pecho (chest) – “Siento presión en el pecho” (I feel pressure in my chest)
    • La espalda (back) – “Me duele la espalda” (My back hurts)
  • Your extremities:
    • El brazo/La pierna (arm/leg) – “Me rompí el brazo” (I broke my arm)
    • La rodilla (knee) – “Me lesioné la rodilla” (I injured my knee)
    • El tobillo (ankle) – “Me torcí el tobillo” (I twisted my ankle)

Common Symptoms (Los Síntomas)

  • Describing pain:
    • Agudo (sharp) – “Es un dolor agudo” (It’s a sharp pain)
    • Punzante (stabbing) – “Siento un dolor punzante” (I feel a stabbing pain)
    • Constante (constant) – “El dolor es constante” (The pain is constant)
  • Other symptoms:
    • Tengo fiebre (I have a fever)
    • Estoy mareado/a (I’m dizzy)
    • Tengo náuseas (I feel nauseous)
    • Me pica (It itches)
    • Estoy congestionado/a (I’m congested)

Medical Facilities (Centros Médicos)

  • Where to go:
    • El hospital (hospital) – For serious conditions
    • La clínica (clinic) – For routine care
    • La farmacia (pharmacy) – For medications
    • La sala de emergencias (emergency room) – For urgent care

Emergency Phrases (Frases de Emergencia)

  • Critical situations:
    • ¡Necesito ayuda! (I need help!)
    • ¡Es una emergencia! (It’s an emergency!)
    • Llame a una ambulancia (Call an ambulance)
    • Soy alérgico/a a… (I’m allergic to…)

Medical Appointments (Citas Médicas)

  • Key phrases:
    • Necesito hacer una cita (I need to make an appointment)
    • ¿Tiene mi seguro médico? (Do you take my insurance?)
    • ¿Cuánto cuesta la consulta? (How much is the consultation?)

Medications (Medicamentos)

  • Essential terms:
    • La receta (prescription)
    • La dosis (dosage)
    • Los efectos secundarios (side effects)
    • Las pastillas/píldoras (pills)
    • El jarabe (syrup)

Understanding Instructions

  • Common directions:
    • Tómelo con comida (Take it with food)
    • Una vez al día (Once a day)
    • Cada ocho horas (Every eight hours)
    • Antes/después de las comidas (Before/after meals)

Remember: In an emergency, say “No hablo español bien” (I don’t speak Spanish well) to alert healthcare providers that you need language assistance.

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