Medical Spanish Vocabulary: Essential Terms

Medical Spanish Vocabulary

Learning medical Spanish vocabulary is essential if you are studying Spanish, traveling to a Spanish-speaking country or working in healthcare. Knowing how to communicate at the doctor’s office can help you explain symptoms, understand diagnoses and feel more confident in emergency situations.

In this guide, you will find useful Spanish medical terms, vocabulary for symptoms, treatments and key expressions you may need when visiting a doctor or pharmacy.

Why Learn Medical Spanish Vocabulary?

You never know when you might need medical assistance while abroad. Whether you feel unwell, need to visit a pharmacy or help a friend in an emergency, having the right vocabulary can make a big difference.

• Explain symptoms clearly to a doctor
• Understand medical instructions
• Ask for help in emergencies
• Communicate confidently in hospitals or clinics

This vocabulary is also especially useful if you are studying medicine or working in healthcare and need to interact with Spanish-speaking patients.

Basic Medical Vocabulary in Spanish

• Places and services
  Clinic – Clínica
  Hospital – Hospital
  Ambulance – Ambulancia
  Pharmacy – Farmacia
  
• People
  Patient – Paciente
  Doctor – Médico / Médica
  Surgeon – Cirujano / Cirujana
  Nurse – Enfermero / Enfermera
  

Common Symptoms in Spanish

• Symptoms and conditions
  Cold – Resfriado / Catarro
  Flu – Gripe
  Cough – Tos
  Fever – Fiebre
  Vomit – Vómito
  Mucus – Mocos
  Wound / Injury – Herida
  Dizziness – Mareo
  Nausea – Náusea
  Burn – Quemadura
  Fracture – Fractura
  Itching – Picor
  Pain – Dolor
  Swelling – Hinchazón
  Infection – Infección
  Inflammation – Inflamación
  Sprain – Esguince
  Blood – Sangre
  

Medical Treatments and Equipment

• Treatment and medicine
  Prescription – Receta
  Medicine – Medicina
  Injection – Inyección
  Bandage – Venda
  Antibiotic – Antibiótico
  Antiseptic – Antiséptico
  Syrup – Jarabe
  Tablets / Pills – Pastillas / Píldoras
  Cast – Escayola
  Crutches – Muletas
  

Spanish Vocabulary at the Doctor’s Office

When you visit a doctor in Spain, you may hear some of these common terms:

• Cita previa – appointment (usually required before visiting a doctor)
• Sala de espera – waiting room
• Consulta / consultorio – doctor’s office
• Chequeo – medical check-up
• Receta – prescription
• Síntomas – symptoms
• Volante – referral document

Medical tools and procedures

• Fonendoscopio / estetoscopio – stethoscope
• Auscultar – to examine by listening (e.g. heart or lungs)
• Camilla – examination table
• Genérico – generic medicine (active ingredient)

Useful Phrases at the Doctor in Spanish

• – My head hurts
• – I have a fever
• – I feel dizzy
• – I need a doctor
• – Where is the pharmacy?
• – I am allergic to...

Tips for Using Medical Spanish in Real Situations

• Speak slowly and clearly
• Use simple phrases if you are unsure
• Learn key symptoms and body parts
• Carry important vocabulary with you when traveling

Mastering medical Spanish vocabulary will help you feel more prepared, safe and confident in any situation. Even if you never need to use it, knowing these words is a valuable part of your Spanish learning journey.

If you want to improve your Spanish further, consider joining one of our programs and learn Spanish in Spain while practicing real-life situations every day.