Coloquialismos I: Basic Glossary for Spanish Medical Interpreters

Vocabulary flashcards covering common Spanish colloquialisms used in medical settings, based on the MITS Basic Glossary for Spanish Medical Interpreters.

Achaques

Aches and pains generally attributed to aging.

Adormecido, dormido

Numb (entumecido).

Afligido

Very worried.

Aliviarse o Componerse

To give birth (dar a luz).

Almorranas

Hemorrhoids (hemorroides).

Amodorrado

Drowsy or somnolent.

Anginas

Tonsils (amígdalas).

Ataque

Seizure; commonly refers to an epileptic seizure when used alone, but can also refer to nerves, laughter, panic, or coughing.

Basca

Nausea.

Boca del estómago

Upper stomach (epigastrium), located beneath the sternum.

Canilla

Shin, though in some regions it can refer to the forearm, leg, or arm.

Carnosidad

Fleshy growth or irregular tissues forming on a part of the body.

Chamorro, camote, batata

Calf (pantorrilla).

Chiches, chichis

Tits, referring to the bust or breasts.

Chichón, chinchón

Lump or swelling on the head due to a blow.

Chorro, chorrillo

The runs (diarrhea).

Cintura

Lower back (literally 'waist', but commonly refers to lumbago).

Coco, choya, maceta

Head (cabeza).

Cogote

Nape or neck (nuca, cuello, pescuezo).

Comadrona, matrona, partera

Midwife; a person who assists women during pregnancy and births.

Comezón

Itch (picazón).

Corva

Back of the knee.

Cuadril

Hip (cadera).

Cuajo

Blood clot (coágulo).

Cuero

Skin (piel).

Cuidarse

To be on birth control (using contraceptive methods).

Curandero

Folk healer (yerbero) who uses traditional medicine and herbs.

Dar Pecho

To breastfeed (amamantar).

Desguanzado, desganado

Wiped or exhausted; having no strength or vigor.

Empachar

To get an upset stomach.

Encarnado

Ingrown (as in 'uña encarnada').

Engarrotar

To get stiff, numb, or to stiffen.

Entrar un aire

The experience of a sudden, unexplained pain.

Entrepierna, bragadura

Crotch or groin area (ingle).

Entripado

Upset stomach (empachado).

Erutar o eruptar

To belch or burp (colloquial for 'eructar').

Escaldado

Diaper rash; skin irritation or inflammation.

Escamoso

Flaky or dry skin.

Escozor

Stinging or burning sensation.

Falsear

To buckle, debilitate, or twist (especially a joint like the knee).

Gargajos

Loogies (phlegm).

Gaznate

Throat or gull.

Grano, barro

Pimple, boil, wart, or sometimes a cyst.

Greñas

Hair (pelo, cabello).

Guardar Reposo

To bed rest (guardar cama).

Guata, barriga, panza

Belly (estomach); also known colloquially as andorga, lipa, tripa, or pandorga.

Hacer necesidades, del baño

To defecate.

Hocico, trompa

Mouth.

Hormigueo

Tingling or tickling sensation.

Jeta

Mouth; related to 'jetear' (to kiss), 'jetón' (asleep), or 'jetudo' (angry).