Learn 36 essential medical and health words in Spanish with audio.
el dolor
pain
la fiebre
fever
la tos
cough
el resfriado
cold (illness)
la gripe
flu
el mareo
dizziness
la náusea
nausea
la alergia
allergy
la infección
infection
la hinchazón
swelling
el sangrado
bleeding
la erupción
rash
Me duele + body part: Me duele la cabeza (My head hurts), Me duelen las muelas (My teeth hurt). Use plural duelen for plural body parts. Tengo dolor de + body part also works: Tengo dolor de estómago.
el hospital
hospital
la clínica
clinic
la sala de urgencias
emergency room
la consulta
doctor's office
la farmacia
pharmacy
el laboratorio
laboratory
el médico / la médica
doctor
el enfermero / la enfermera
nurse
el cirujano / la cirujana
surgeon
el especialista
specialist
el paciente
patient
la ambulancia
ambulance
Key phrases: ¿Qué le pasa? (What is wrong?), ¿Desde cuándo? (Since when?), Soy alérgico/a a... (I am allergic to...), Estoy embarazada (I am pregnant), Tomo medicamentos para... (I take medication for...).
la receta
prescription
la pastilla
pill / tablet
el jarabe
syrup
la inyección
injection / shot
la venda
bandage
la radiografía
X-ray
el análisis de sangre
blood test
la operación
surgery / operation
los puntos
stitches
el yeso
cast (plaster)
la vacuna
vaccine
el seguro médico
health insurance
In many Spanish-speaking countries, pharmacists can recommend treatments for minor issues. You do not always need a prescription. Say: ¿Tiene algo para...? (Do you have something for...?) followed by the symptom.
1. What does 'fiebre' mean?
2. How do you say 'prescription'?
3. 'Me duele la cabeza' means:
4. How do you say 'emergency room'?
5. What does 'la inyección' mean?
6. How do you say 'I am allergic to...'?
7. What does 'la radiografía' mean?
8. How do you say 'nurse'?
9. 'Tengo tos' means:
10. What does 'el seguro médico' mean?
Knowing medical vocabulary in Spanish can be critical during travel or when living abroad. Being able to describe symptoms, understand a doctor, and navigate pharmacies gives you confidence and safety in health-related situations.
Healthcare systems vary widely. Spain has a public system (Seguridad Social), Mexico has IMSS, and many Latin American countries have both public and private options. Pharmacies play a larger role in primary care in many countries.
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