Healthcare (Part III - At the hospital)

Now it's time to learn vocabulary related to the hospital. Next time we'll be learning common phrases people use when going to the doctor. I hope you find this helpful!

People involved:

• Doctor = El médico, el doctor
• Patient = El paciente
• Nurse = La enfermera
• Paramedics = paramédicos
• Physician = médico clínico
• General practitioner = Médico de cabecera, Médico general
• Specialist = Especialista

Specialists

• Anesthesiologist (anesthesia) = Anestesiólogo (anestesia)
• Cardiologist (heart) = Cardiólogo (corazón)
• Dermatologist (skin)= Dermatólogo (piel)
• Ear Nose and Throat Specialist / Otorhinolaryngologist (ear, nose, throat) = Otorrinolaringólogo (oídos, nariz y garganta)
• Endocrinologist (glands, hormones) = Endocrinólogo (glándulas, hormonas)
• Gastroenterologist (stomach, intestines) = Gastroenterólogo (estómago e intestinos)
• Geriatrician (the elderly) = Geriatra (personas de la tercera edad)
• Gynecologist (women) = Ginecólogo (mujeres)
• Nephrologist (kidneys) = Nefrólogo (riñones)
• Neurologist (nervous system) = Neurólogo (sistema nervioso)
• Ophtamologist (eyes) = Oftalmólogo (ojos)
• Obstetrician (pregnancy, childbirth) = Obstetra (embarazo, nacimiento)
• Odontologist (teeth) = Odontólogo (dientes)
• Oncologist (cancer) = Oncólogo (cancer)
• Pediatrician (children) = Pediatra (niños)
• Psychiatrist (mental illness) = Psiquiatra (enfermedades mentales)
• Physical Therapist (US), Physiotherapist (UK) = Fisioterapista o Fisioterapeuta
• Radiologist (radiation) = Radiólogo (radiación)
• Surgeon (surgery) = Cirujano (cirujía)
• Urologist (urinary tract) = Urólogo (aparato urinario)

Locations:

• Clinic = la clínica
• Doctor's consulting room = el consultorio
• Hospital = el hospital
• Drugstore/Pharmacy = la farmacia
• Laboratory, lab = el laboratorio
• Ambulance = la ambulancia
• Examination room = la sala de evaluación/diagnóstico/reconocimiento
• Emergency room = la sala de emergencies/urgencias
• Intensive care unit = la unidad de cuidados intensivos
• Operating theatre/room = el quirófano, la sala de operaciones
• Waiting room = sala de espera
• Ward = sala

Hospital Equipment:

• examintation couch/table = sillón/diván/mesa de evaluación/diagnóstico/reconocimiento
• hospital bed = cama de hospital
  
• stretcher = camilla
  
• operating table = mesa de operaciones
• breathing (or respiratory) apparatus = respirador artificial
• heart monitor = monitor (cardíaco)
  
• defibrillator = defibrilador
  
• IV pole / stand for IV drips= atril (o soporte) para el goteo intravenoso
• catheter, tube = tubo, catéter, sonda
• basin, bedpan = basinete, basinilla, orinal
  

Medical Equipment:

• scales = pesa
• height = tallímetro
• thermometer = termómetro
• stethoscope = estetoscopio
• othoscope = otoscopio
• ophthalmoscope = oftalmoscopio
• sphygmomanometer/blood pressure monitor = esfigmomanómetro
  
• tongue depressor = tiralengua o bajalengua
• percusor, hammer = martillo de reflejos
• glucometer = glucómetro
• dressing gown = bata
• mask = mascarilla
• disposable needle/syringe = aguja/jeringa desechables
• sterile needle/syringe = aguja/jeringa esterilizada
  
• sterile gauze = gasa esterilizada
• oxygen = oxigeno
• dressing material = material de vendaje
• plaster = yeso

Surgery equipment:

• surgical instruments = instrumentos quirúrgicos
• instrument tray = bandeja de los instrumentos
• scalpel = bisturí
• scissors = tijeras
  
• tweezers = pinzas
  

Laboratory & Radiology equipment:

• microscope = microscopio
• beaker = vaso de precipitados (o de precipitación)
• test tube = tubo de ensayo
• urine sample = muestra de orina
• blood sample = muestra de sangre
  
• x-rays = rayos X
• x-ray plate = radiografía
• ultrasound = ultrasonido
  

Patient equipment:

• wheelchair = silla de ruedas
• crutches = muletas
• cane = bastón
• walker = andador
• brace = aparato ortopédico
  
• sling = cabestrillo
  

More vocabulary:

• health insurance = seguro médico
• medical/health exam = examen médico
• medical history/record = historia clínica, historial médico
• medical card = ficha médica
• medical consultation = consulta médica
• medical condition = condición médica
• check-up = chequeo medico
• diagnose = diagnóstico
• prescription = receta
• treatment = tratamiento
• blood pressure/tension = presión sanguínea
• blood test = prueba/examen de sangre
• stitches = puntos (de sutura)
• therapy = terapia
• visiting hours = horas de visita
  

Verbs:

• to consult a doctor = consultar un médico
• to get a shot = recibir una inyección
• to give someone a shot = poner una inyección (o inyectar) a alguien
• To make an appointment = hacer una sita
• To take one’s temperature = tomarle la temperatura a alguien
• To take one’s pulse = tomarle el pulso a alguien
• To take one’s(blood) tension/pressure = tomarle la presión a alguien
• To cure = curar
• To operate on = operar
• To prescribe = recetar
• To treat = tratar

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Other posts about healthcare vocabulary:
Diseases and Health Problems | Drugs and remedies | Useful Phrases

*Updated article. December 9^th 2007.

Echar aguas

Spanish speaking guys I work with use the phrase "Echame Aguas" to request help in backing the truck up safely.

Can anyone shed some light on this usage?

-Souschef

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"Echar aguas" is usually used when someone is doing something that must remain a secret... most likely illegal or illicit (but not always). So, this person needs someone to look out for him... so he says "Echame aguas", meaning "Let me know if someone else comes".

And if a person wants to warn someone else, he can say "¡Aguas!". This means "Watch out!".

In this case, they probably mean "Can you look out and let me know when can I back the truck up safely?"

- Karin

Spelling Rules - J

We'll continue learning Spanish spelling rules.

Use J:

1. In words that end in -aje:
   e.g. arbirtraje, pasaje, equipaje, espionaje.
   Exceptions: ambage and enálage.


2. In words that end in -jero:
   e.g. agujero, cerrajero, consejero, extranjero.
   Exception: ligero (and derivatives).


3. In the inflexions of irregular verbs that use the syllables je or ji (which weren't part of the root of the verb).
   e.g. conduje (from conducir) and dijeron (from decir).
   

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For more spelling rules, please check:
M before P and B | The use of H

Healthcare (Part II - Medicine)

Let's continue with our Healthcare vocabulary list. Today, we'll talk about diferent kinds of drugs to treat a disease/medical condition. Feel free to send me your ideas to improve this list, or about any other phrases related to healthcare. Next time, we'll be talking about hospitals. So, let's go!

General Vocabulary

• Medicine, drugs = medicina
• Medicament, medication = medicamento
• Remedy = remedio
• Treatment = tratamiento
• Prescription = receta médica
• Samples = muestras (médicas)
  
• Compund = compuesto
• Dose = dosis
• Side effects = efectos secundarios

Delivery Systems

• Tablet = tableta, comprimido
• Pill = pastilla, píldora
• Sugar-coated pill/tablet = gragea
• Capsule = cápsula
• Gel capsule, gelcap = cápsula de gel
• Chewable tabs = pastillas masticables
  
• Blister = blíster
• Syrup = jarabe
• Solution = solución
• Powder for oral suspension = polvo para suspensión oral
  
• Drops = gotas
• Ointment = ungüento, pomada
• Cream = crema
• Tube = tubo
• Suppository = supositorio
• Ampule = ampolla
• Vial = vial, frasco
• Injection (shot) = inyección
• Spray = spray
• Inhaler = inhalador
• IV drip feed = vía de goteo intravenoso
  

Kinds of drugs

• Analgesic = analgésico
• Antacid = antiácido
• Anti-allergy = antialérgico
• Antibiotic = antibiótico
• Anti-depressant = antidepresivo
  
• Antidiarrheal = antidiarréico
• Anti-inflammatory = antiinflamatorio
• Antifungal = antimicótico
• Antihistamine = antihistamínico
• Antipyretic = antipirético
• Antiseptic = antiséptico
• Aspirin = aspirina
• Bronchodilators = Broncodilatador
• Calcium = calcio
• Cough drops, lozenge = comprimidos para la tos
• Corticosteroids = Corticosteroides
• Contraceptive = anticonceptivo
• Decongestant = descongestionante
• Diuretic = diurético
• Eye drops = gotas para los ojos
• Insuline = insulina
• Laxative = laxante
• Muscle relaxant = relajante muscular
• Pain killer = calmante para el dolor
• Sleeping pill = pastilla para dormir / somnífero
• Sedative, Tranquilizer = sedante, calmante
• Vaccine = vacuna
• Vasodilator = vasodilatador
• Vitamin C = vitamina C

First-aid kit/box = el botiquín de primeros auxilios

• Alcohol = el alcohol
• Band-Aids (US)/Elastoplasts (UK) = las tiritas (España), las curitas (LatAm)
• Bandage = la venda
• Surgical tape = el esparadrapo, el apósito (Argentina)
• Cotton wool = el algodón
• Gauze = la gasa
• Peroxide = el agua oxigenada
• Thermometer = el termómetro
• Syringe = la jeringa
• Needle = la aguja

More vocabulary:

• First aid = primeros auxilios
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) = Resucitación (o reanimación) cardiopulmonar/cardiorespiratoria
• Artificial respiration = Respiración/ventilación artificial
• Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation = Respiración de boca a boca
• Chemotherapy = quimioterapia
• Physiotherapy = fisioterapia
  
• Transplant = transplante
• Blood transfusion = transfusión de sangre
• Donor = donante, donador (Varies depending on the country)
  
• Biopsy = biopsia
• Surgery = Operación (o intervención quirúrgica)
  
  

A few useful phrases:

• Take / Apply it: = Tómelo / Aplíquelo:
• once / twice daily = una vez / dos veces al día
• three / four / … times a day = tres / cuatro / … veces al día
• before / after / with meals = antes / después / con la comida
• at bedtime = antes de dormir
• every other hour = cada dos horas
• every other day = cada dos días
• Use as much as desired / needed = Utilice tanto como desee / sea necesario
• Available only by prescription = venta bajo receta médica
• Keep out of the reach of children = Manténgase fuera del alcance de los niños
• Is it safe for children? = ¿Lo pueden tomar los niños?
  
• How much should I give? = ¿Cuánto le doy?



• Be sure to ask the doctor if there are any side effects to taking that medication. Otherwise, you run the risk of having complications, and the drugs that should be helping you can make your condition worse. =
  Asegúrese de consultar con su médico si existen efectos secundarios al tomar ese medicamento. De lo contrario, corre el riesgo de tener complicaciones, y la medicina que debería ayudarlo podría empeorar su condición.
  

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Other posts about healthcare vocabulary:
Diseases and Health Problems | At the hospital | Useful Phrases

Updated article. January 8^th 2008.

¿Por qué? Porque…

En español, hay algunas palabras que se escriben juntas o separadas y tildadas o no según su significado y función gramatical. Por qué, por que, porqué y porque son un claro ejemplo de esto. Vamos a aprender cuándo utilizar cada una de ellas:

Porqué se escribe junto y tildado cuando es un sustantivo y generalmente va precedido del artículo “el”. Podemos sustituirlo por “la razón”, “el motivo” y “la causa”. Por ejemplo, “Desconocemos el porqué de su renuncia”. = “Desconocemos el motivo de su renucia”.

Por qué se escribe separado y tildado cuando se trata de una preposición y pronombre interrogativo directo o indirecto. En inglés, equivale a why. Por ejemplo, “¿Por qué no terminas tu tarea antes de salir?” (interrogativo directo) y “Me gustaría saber por qué se jubilo tan pronto” (interrogativo indirecto).

Porque se escribe junto y sin tilde cuando es una conjunción causal, es decir, para describir una causa. En inglés, equivale a because. Por ejemplo, “Demoramos el embarque porque faltaba el permiso de exportación”.

Por que se escribe separado y sin tilde cuando se trata de una preposición y pronombre relativo. Podemos sustituirlo por la frase “por el/la cual”. Por ejemplo, “No sabemos el motivo porque lo hiciste” = “No sabemos el motivo por el cual lo hiciste”.

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EJERCICIO:
Bien, ahora es el momento de comprobar si aprendiste y comprendiste las reglas anteriores. Completa los siguientes enunciados y compara tus respuestas con la guía de respuestas que se encuentra al final.

1. Le preguntaron ____________ rompió la carta y no contestó.
2. Quizás lo hizo ____________ estaba nervioso.
3. Cerrarán la empresa ____________ están en bancarrota.
4. Quisiera saber el ____________ de su decisión.
5. ¿ ____________ no nos vemos en el parque esta tarde?
6. Llegamos tarde ____________ el vuelo se retrasó.
7. ¿Y eso ____________ ?
8. No sé el motivo ____________ no se presentó al examen.
9. No entiendo ____________ te preocupas.
10. Parece una idea loca, pero ¿ ____________ no?






Respuestas: 1. por qué | 2. porque | 3. porque | 4. porqué | 5. Por qué | 6. porque | 7. por qué | 8. por que | 9. por qué | 10. por qué

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Otras palabras que se escriben juntas o separadas según su significado y función gramatical:
conque, con que, con qué

Healthcare (Part I - Diseases and Health Problems)

Hi friends! Today we'll learn some vocabulary related to diseases and other health problems. As always, I'd love to improve this list, so feel free to send me ideas, new phrases or even corrections! Next time we'll be talking about drugs and remedies, so don't miss it!

Illnesses & Diseases

TIP: Use the verb “Tener” (to have) + the name of the disease. e.g. "Tengo asma"

• acne = acné
• AIDS = sida
• anemia (or anaemia) = anemia
• appendicitis = apendicitis
• arthritis = artritis
  
• asthma = asma
• blindness = ceguera
  
• bronchitis = bronquitis
• cancer = cáncer
• chickenpox = varicela
• deafness = sordera
  
• diabetes = diabetes
• leukemia = leucemia
• measles = sarampión
• mumps = paperas
• rabies = rabia
• rheumatism = reuma, reumatismo
• smallpox = viruela
• the flu = gripe (influenza)
• tuberculosis = tuberculosis

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Symptoms & other medical conditions:

TIP: Use the phrase “Tener dolor de” or “Me duele la/el” + the body part that aches/hurts.
e.g. "Tengo dolor de estómago" (I have a stomachache) / "Me duele el estómago" (My stomach hurts).

• Backache = dolor de espalda
• Earache = dolor de oído
• Headache = dolor de cabeza
• Stomachache = dolor de estómago
• Toothache = dolor de dientes
• Sore throat = dolor de garganta (Also: Tener la garganta inflamada)

TIP: Use the verb “Tener” (to have) + the name of the symptom. e.g. "Tengo un moretón en el brazo."

(Count nouns)

• (an) allergy = (una) alergia
  (Also non-count noun: Tener alergia a _________ = To be allergic to)
• (an) allergic reaction = (una) reacción alérgica
• (an) asthma attack = (un) ataque de asma
  
• (a) bite = una mordida (de perro)
• (a) blister = (una) ampolla
• (a) bruise = (un) moretón, morete, mortatón, cardenal
• (a) broken leg/arm/bone = (una) pierna rota / (un) brazo roto / (un) hueso roto
• (a) bump = (un) chichón
• (a) burn = (una) quemadura
• (a) cardiac arrest = (un) paro cardíaco
• (a) respiratory arrest = (un) paro respiratorio
• (a) cold = (un) resfrío
• (a) concussion = (una) conmoción cerebral
• (a) corn = (un) callo
• (a) cut = (una) cortada, (un) corte
• (a) cyst = (un) quiste
• (a) dislocated bone = un hueso dislocado
  
• (an) injury = (una) herida
• (a) fracture = (una) fractura
• (a) graze = (un) raspón
• (an) insect bite = (una) picadura de insecto
• (a) heart attack = (un) ataque cardíaco, (un) infarto
• (an) infection = (una) infección
• (an) indigestion = (una) indigestion (Also non-count noun: Tener indigestión)
• (an) hemorrhage = hemorragia (Also non-count noun: Tener hemorragia)
• (an) inflammation = inflamación
• (a) miscarriage = (un) aborto espontáneo
• (a) rash = (un) sarpullido (Also: Haberle brotado (un) sarpullido (a alguien))
• (a) scar = cicatriz
• (a) scratch = rasguño
• (a) sprain = torcedura
• (a) stroke = (un) ataque, (una) apoplejía, (un) derrame
• (a) sunburn = (una) quemadura de sol
• (a) swelling = (una) hinchazón
• (a) benign/malignant tumor = (un) tumor benigno/maligno
  
• (an) ulcer = (una) úlcera
• (a) wound = (una) herida

(Non-count nouns)

• amnesia = amnesia
• bedsore = úlcera por decúbito
  
• constipation = estreñimiento
• (a) cough = tos
• dehydration = deshidratación
  
• diarrhea = diarrea
• dizziness = mareo(s)
• dry skin = resequedad de la piel / (la) piel reseca
• fever= fiebre
• hiccups = hipo
• insomnia = insomnio
• itch = picazón
• jaundice = ictericia
• migraine = migraña
• stress = estrés
• sunstroke = insolación
• vomit = vómito

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More verbs & phrases

• To be allergic to _______ = Ser alérgico a ________
• To bleed = Sangrar, perder sangre
• To feel sore = Tener agujetas o punzadas
• To feel nauseous/sick / To be going to throw up = Tener nauseas / Tener ganas de vomitar
• To feel dizzy = Estar mareado
• To feel pain = Tener dolor
• To have low/high blood pressure = Tener la presión (o tensión) alta/baja
• To catch a cold = Atrapar/coger un resfriado
• To have a cold = Estar resfriado/constipado o Tener un resfriado (o resfrío)
• To run a temperature (to have a fever) = Tener fiebre/temperatura
• To lose one's voice = Estar afónico / Perder la voz
• To cough = Toser
• To sneeze = Estornudar
• To shiver = Temblar
• To faint = Desmayarse
• To vomit / To throw up = Vomitar
• To break a leg/arm = Romperse una pierna/brazo
• To twist (or sprain) an ankle = Torcerse el tobillo
• To be swollen = Estar hinchado(a)

• To get sick = Enfermarse
• To be sick = Estar enfermo (a)
• To get worse = Empeorar
• To get well/better = Mejorar
• To heal = Sanar, Curarse

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Other posts about healthcare vocabulary:
Drugs and remedies | At the hospital | Useful Phrases

*Updated article. December 9^th 2007.

Tú vs. Usted

When I was studying Spanish in school, we learned that tú is for people whom you address by their first name, and usted is for people whom you'd address with an honorific (e.g. if you would call someone Pedro you'd use tú in speaking to him, but if you would call him Señor Alvarez you'd use usted). But here in New Mexico at least I find that's not entirely true. It seems that here usted is for those who are older or in a higher station than you are, even if you'd address the person by first name (I learned this when I got reprimanded - in a friendly fashion - for addressing an older lady as tú because I always called her Teresa). What are the rules - for Latin American, and specifically Mexican/southwestern US, Spanish - with regard to tú and usted?

- Robert McKay

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Hi Robert!

Well, I think you could use as a guideline that if you address someone with an honorific, you should use usted. (If you use an honorific, you probably want to show respect!) However, the fact that you are familiar with someone on a first-name basis, doesn't mean that you should use tú. See, in much of the Spanish-speaking world, usted is used in both formal and informal situations.

Let me explain you better. Usted is not only a formal way to address people...It is used to show respect or maintain a certain distance with any person. In this order of ideas, you should use usted with:

• someone you don't know well (age and title doesn't matter here!)
  
• an older person (yes, we address older people with usted to show respect)
  
• an authority figure (your boss, your teacher, a policeman, a senator)
  
• someone who you know but your not close to him/her (for example, a neighbor)
• someone whom you would address by their title (e.g. Dr.Rodríguez, Sra. López...)
• anyone to whom you wish to show respect

On the other hand, tú is the familiar you. It demonstrates a certain closeness and informality. Although usage can vary with locality, in nearly all cases, it is used when addressing children, family members and good friends.

So, you should use tú to addres:

• a friend
  
• a peer / colleague
  
• a relative (Only if he/she is not older than you. i.e. You would use usted to address your uncle, whereas you would use tú to address your cousin)
  
• a child
  
• a pet
  

Note there's also a disparity with the usage of usted/tú: A young person should address and old one using usted, but the old person would probably addres the young person using tú. The same may be true with boss/employee relationships, for example. Of course, among friends, the use of tú is mutual. And among strangers, the use of usted is mutual as well.

As I mentioned above, there are some local variations. For instance, in Guatemala it is common to find men addressing women with usted (and vice versa) unless they're very close or they are rather outgoing, overtly expressive persons.

If you're in doubt whether to use the familiar or formal "you", use the formal one unless you're told it's OK to do otherwise. There's no problem with using usted all the time, People will just think you're really, really polite. And those who don't want to be address that way will usually tell you "Please, address me using tú" ;-)

- Karin