English-to-Spanish Translations Useful in the Medical Setting

A physician is obligated to consider more than a diseased organ, more even than the whole manhe must view the man in his world. Harvey Cushing 18691939

This chapter includes some of the basic words and phrases often needed when one is interviewing and examining a Spanish-speaking person. It includes dialogs using words and expressions for many situations. Most of the questions are written as direct questions and have either yes or no answers. The phrases and vocabulary presented here will enable the reader to communicate quickly and effectively. If the pronunciation is too difficult for you, just show the Spanish expression to the patient. Spanish is a language that is pronounced approximately as it is written. There are several exceptions: c before a, o, u, or consonant is hard like c in camera c before e or i is soft and pronounced like c in receive cc is pronounced like a ks sound like in accent g before a, o, or u, is hard like g in great g before e or i is breathy like h in home h is always silent j is breathy and pronounced like h in humid ll is pronounced like y in yellow

 is pronounced like ny in canyon qu is pronounced like k in key v is pronounced like b in book z is pronounced like s in shoe Words ending in a vowel n, or s are stressed on the next-to-last syllable. Words ending in a consonant are stressed on the last syllable. A written accent is used on any word that breaks either of these two rules. A question is preceded by an inverted question mark () at its beginning and a question mark (?) at its end.

BASIC VOCABULARY
Hello! Please Yes No Maybe Thank you (very much). You're welcome. Excuse me. I'm sorry. Sir Madame Miss Please answer either yes or no if you can.

VOCABULARIO BASICO
Hola! Por favor S No Quizs (Muchas) gracias. De nada. Perdn. Lo siento. Seor Seora Seorita Por favor conteste s o no si puede.

What is your name? Do you speak English? Do you understand English? Repeat, please. Please speak more slowly. Do you need something? Do you want something? Please speak louder. What is the name of your doctor? What is his telephone number? Good morning. Good afternoon. Good evening. Let me introduce myself. My name is ________. I am ________. What is your name? I am glad to meet you. How are you? How do you feel today? Fair. May I ask your age? I feel okay.

Cmo se llama usted? Habla usted ingls? Comprende usted ingls? Repita, por favor. Por favor, hable ms despacio. Necesita algo? Desea algo? Por favor, hable en voz ms alta. Cul es el nombre de su mdico? Cul es su nmero de telfono? Buenos das. Buenas tardes. Buenas noches. Djeme presentarme. Me llamo ________. Soy ________. Cmo se llama usted? Me alegro de conocerle. Cmo est usted? Cmo se siente hoy? As, as. Qu edad tiene usted? Me siento bien.

I feel bad. I feel better. I feel worse. Do you understand? I understand. I don't understand. What? What did you say? When? Who? I don't feel well. Goodbye. See you later. I'll see you. See you tomorrow.

Me siento mal. Me siento mejor. Me siento peor. Comprende usted ? Yo comprendo. No comprendo. Cmo? Cundo? Quin? No me siento bien. Adis. Hasta la vista. Nos veremos. Hasta maana.

What relation is the person to you?

Qu parentesco tiene esta persona con usted?

Wife Husband Mother Father Mother-in-law Father-in-law Son

Esposa Esposo Madre Padre Suegra Suegro Hijo

Daughter Brother Sister Friend Employer

Hija Hermano Hermana Amigo Patrn

Days of the Week

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Das de la Semana
El domingo El lunes El martes El mircoles El jueves El viernes El sbado

Seasons of the Year

Spring Summer Autumn Winter

Las Estaciones
La primavera El verano El otoo El invierno

Months of the Year

January February March

Los Meses del Ao

Enero Febrero Marzo

April May June July August September October November December

Abril Mayo Junio Julio Agosto Septiembre Octubre Noviembre Diciembre

Expressions of Time
Today Yesterday Tomorrow Tonight Now The day after tomorrow The day before yesterday A week from today Every other day Month Week Year Next week

Expressions de Horario
Hoy Ayer Maana Esta noche Ahora Pasado maana Anteayer En una semana de hoy Cada otro da Mes Semana Ao La semana que viene

Next month Next year Minute Daily Weekly Monthly Yearly Year round During the day First time Last time Once Once a day Twice a day Three times a day Four times a day How often? How many times? Early Late Every hour Every two hours Constantly

El mes que viene El ao que viene Minuto Diario Semanal Mensual (mensualmente) Anual (anualmente) Todo el ao Durante el da Primera vez ltima vez Una vez Una vez al da Dos veces al da Tres veces al da Cuatro veces al da Con qu frecuencia? Cantas veces? Temprano Tarde A cada hora Cada dos horas Constantemente

Sometimes Often On time Per day Per month Per week At bedtime Upon getting up At the same time From time to time Immediately Lately Moment Second Before meals After meals In a few minutes Since when? For how long? For many years For the time being

A veces A menudo A tiempo Al (por) da Al (por) mes A (por) la semana Al acostarse Al levantarse A la misma vez De vez en cuando Inmediatamente ltimamente Momento Segundo Antes de comer Despus de comer Dentro de poco minutos Desde cando? Por canto tiempo Por muchos aos Por ahora

Patient Complaints
abscess

Problemas del Paciente

un absceso

broken bone bruise burn chills cold constipation stomach cramps diarrhea fever headache infection lump sore throat stomach ache

un hueso roto una contusin una quemadura escalofro un catarro estreimiento calambres diarrea fiebre dolor de cabeza infeccin un bulto dolor de garganta dolor de estmago

Parts of the Body

ankle appendix arm back breast cheek ear elbow

Partes del Cuerpo

el tobillo el apndice el brazo la espalda el pecho la mejilla el odo el codo

eye face finger foot glands hand head heart hip knee leg lip liver mouth neck nose shoulder skin thumb throat toe tooth wrist

el ojo la cara el dedo el pie las glndulas la mano la cabeza el corazn la cadera la rodilla la pierna el labio el hgado la boca el cuello la nariz el hombro la piel el pulgar la garganta el dedo del pie el diente la mueca

Present Illness
What problem has brought you to the hospital?

Enfermedad Actual
Cual problema le ha traido usted a este hospital?

When did you last feel perfectly well?

Cando fue la ltima vez en que usted se sentio perfectamente bien?

What bothers you the most? How long have you been ill?

Qu le molesta ms? Canto tiempo hace que usted est enfermo?

an hour a day a week a month a year Have you had ________? When? fever cough bleeding pain Are you in pain? When did the pain begin? Where is the pain? Show me where it hurts you. Point to where it hurts.

una hora un da una semana un mes un ao Ha tenido usted____? Cundo? fiebre tos hemorragia dolor Siente usted dolor? Cundo empezaron sus dolores? Dnde siente dolor? Enseme donde le duele. Indqueme dnde le duele.

In the head? In the chest? On the side? In the back? Is it a constant pain or does it come and go? Is your pain (cough, bleeding) constant? severe? Is your pain____? cramping? stabbing? burning? aching? Does the pain occur during____ sleep? breathing? urination? bowel movements? exertion? Has the pain changed its location? From where to where? Does the pain radiate? Where to? Have you taken any drugs? Any medications?

En la cabeza? En el pecho? En un costado? En la espalda? Es un dolor constante, o viene y se le va? Es su dolor (tos, hemorragia)... constante? severa? Es su dolor como ________? un calambre? una pualada? quemadura? simplemente dolor? Aparece el dolor ________ durante el sueo? durante la respiracin? cuando orina? durante la defecacin? cuando efecta un esfuerzo? Ha cambiado de sitio el dolor? De donde a donde? Se corre el dolor por el cuerpo? A donde? Ha tomado usted drogas?

What were they? Did this medicine give you relief? Had you been in good health before this illness? Have you ever been treated in this hospital? When? Have you ever been admitted to any other hospital? When? Have you ever had any operations? Serious injuries? Please show me. Have you ever had any other diseases? What were they? Did you have this ________

Remedios? Cules fueron? Obtuvo usted alivio con esta medicina? Ha gozado usted de buena salud antes de esta enfermedad? Ha sido usted tratado en esta hospital? Cundo? Ha sido usted admitido en otros hospitales? Cundo? Ha sido usted operado? Heridas de importancia? Por favor enseme donde. Ha tenido usted otras enfermedades? Cules fueron? Cunto tiempo hace que usted ha padecido de estas enfermedades?

days ago weeks ago months ago years ago If anything makes you feel better, show me what it is. Have your symptoms been bad enough to keep you in bed? Have you been getting better?

das atrs semanas atrs meses atrs aos atrs Si algo le mejora, ensame en que consiste.

Eran sus sntomas bastante severos para obligarse a quedarse en cama? Va usted mejorando? Enpeorando?

Worse? Were you in an accident? Show me your injury. Ha sufrido un accidente? Enseme donde est herido. What is the name of your employer? What is the address of your employer? Para qu compaa trabaja usted? Cul es la direccin de su trabajo? Donde est usted empleado (empleada)?

Past Medical History

Please answer yes or no to the following questions: Have you had any surgery? When? Where? What type? Have you ever had _________ rheumatic fever? asthma? tuberculosis? hepatitis? liver disease? kidney disease? heart disease? lung disease? stroke?

Previa Historia Mdica

Por favor de contestar si o no a las preguntas siguentes: Ha tenido usted algn ciruga (operacin)? Cundo? Dnde? Qu tipo? Ha padecido usted alguna ves de _________ fiebre reumtico? asma? tuberculosis? hepatitis? enfermedad del higado? enfermedad del rion? enfermedad del corazn? enfermedad del pulmn? derrame cerebral?

heart attack? ulcer? diabetes? cancer? high blood pressure? allergies? anemia? jaundice? any previous surgery? Do you take ________ vitamins? painkillers? laxatives? antacids? expectorants? antibiotics? narcotics? sedatives? anticonvulsants? tranquilizers? anticoagulants? blood pressure medications? heart pills?

ataque de corazn? lcera? diabetes? cancer? alta presin? alergia? anemia? ictericia (piel amarilla)? cualquier cirugi anterior? Usa usted ________ vitaminas? pildoras par el dolor? laxativos? anticidos? expectorantes? antibiticos? narcticos calmantes? anticonvulsivos? tranquilizantes? anticoagulantes? medicinas para alta presin? pildoras para el corazn?

water pills? Do you have any allergies? What medicines are you allergic to? None Penicillin Sulfa Tetanus Codeine Aspirin

pildoras para orinar? Tiene usted alergias? A qu medicinas es usted alrgico? Ninguna Penicilina Sulfa Ttano Codena Aspirina

Hazardous Exposures
Have you been exposed to ________ industrial dusts? gases? vapors? chemicals? radiation? extreme noise? extreme vibration? What type of work do you do? Does anyone in your family work in a trade where hazardous materials could have been

Expuestaciones Peligrosas
Ha estado expuesta a ________ polvos industrial? gases? vapores? qumicos? radiacin? ruido extremo? vibracin extrema? Qu clase de trabajo hace usted? Trabaja alguien en su familia en algo donde es posible que puedan traer material peligroso a la casa?

brought home? asbestos? lead? vinyl chloride? Did you ever live near a(n) ________ industrial plant? shipyard? mine? other facility that may have? released hazardous material? asbesto? plomo? cloruro vinyl? Ha vivido usted cerca de una ________ planta industrial? astillero? mina? otras facilidades que han podido soltar materiales peligrosos?

Social History
Where were you born? Are you married? Do you smoke? How much? For how long? How often do you drink? Beer? Wine? Hard liquor? How long has this been your pattern?

Historia Social
Dnde naci? Es usted casado (M)? casada (F)? Fuma usted? Canto? Por cunto tiempo? Canto bebe? Cerveza? Vino? Bebida alcohlica? Por cunto tiempo has sido esta su

costumbre? Do you use any drugs to make you feel better or change your mood? What? How much? Has your use of drugs or alcohol ever caused you to have problems with ________ family? health? job? finances? Have you had any problems with the law because of your use of drugs or alcohol? Have you ever sought help for _________ Usa usted drogas para sentirse mejor o para cambiar su humor? Qu? Cunto? Ha presentado su costumbre con el uso de drogas o alcohol problema con ________ familia? salud? trabajo? financiero? Ha tenido usted algn problema con la ley sobre su uso de drogas/alcohol? Ha tratado usted de conseguir ayuda por ________ your pattern of drinking? your use of drugs? Have you ever been sexually or physically abused? su hbito de la bebida? su uso de drogas? Ha sido usted abusado alguna vez sexualmente o fisicamente?

Family History
Is there any family history of _______ diabetes?

Historia Familial
Hay alguna historia en su familia de _______ diabetes?

high blood pressure? angina? heart disease? lung disease? cancer? strokes? anemia? nervous problems? muscular problems? endocrine problems? emotional disturbances? Have you ever been pregnant? Do you have any children? How is your health?

alta presin? angina? enfermedad del corazn? enfermedad de los pulmones? cancer? hemorragia vascular? anemia? problemas nervioso? problemas musculares? problemas de glndulas endocrinas? disturbios emocionales? Ha estado embarazada? Tiene hijos? Cmo est la salud?

Review of Systems
Have you ever had:

Revisin de Sistemas
Ha padecido alguna vez de:

General Status
Insomnia Recent weight loss Fatigue or weakness Fever or chills Sweating, night sweats Irritability

Estado General
Insomnia Reciente cambio de peso Fatiga o debilidad Fiebre o escalofros Sudor, sudor de noche Irritabilidad

Skin
Rashes or eruptions Itching Hair or nail changes Easy bruising Bleeding Head Headache Trauma Change in hat size Fainting Dizziness Migraine

Piel
Ronchas o erupcines Picazn Cambio de cabello o uas Golpes leves Sangrado Cabeza Dolor de cabeza Traumatismo Cambio de medida de sombrero Desmayo Vrtigo Jaqueca

Eyes
Loss of vision or blurring Double vision Do you wear glasses? Color blindness Pain or discharge Redness Blind spots Eye pain when looking at lights Excessive tearing

Ojos
Borrn o prdida de visin Doble visin Usa usted anteojos? Daltonismo Dolor o descargo Enrojecimiento Puntos ciegos Dolor en los ojos cundo mira a la luz Lagrimeo excesivo

Ears
Discharge or pain Deafness (hearing loss) Vertigo Ringing in ears

Los Odos
Le supuran o duelen los odos Ensordecimiento (prdida de audicin) Vrtigo Sonar el odo

Nose
Discharge Hay fever Nasal obstruction Postnasal drip Nose bleed

Nariz
Supuracin Fiebre del heno Obstruccin nasal Goteo posterior nariz Le sangra la nariz

Mouth, Throat, and Larynx

Sores (ulcers) How are your teeth? Dental care Dentures Gum bleeding Taste Persistent hoarseness Sore throat

Boca, Garganta y Laringe

Llaga (lcera) Cmo estn sus dientes? Cuidado dental Dentadura Le sangran las encas Sabor Ronquera persistente Dolor de garganta

Pulmonary
Shortness of breath

Pulmonar
Le falta la respiracin

Wheezing Stridor Cough Sputum Cough up blood

Le silba el pecho Estridor Tos Esputo Tose sangre

Breasts
Masses Pain Discharge from nipples Swelling Have you had bleeding or discharge from the nipples? Have you noticed any abnormal change in the breasts?

Los Pechos (Senos)

Masas Dolor Le supuran los pezones Hinchazn Le han supurado o sangrado los pezones?

Ha notado algn cambio anormal en los senos?

Cardiovascular
Palpitation Shortness of breath Do you sleep on any pillows? Have you ever awakened in the middle of the night short of breath? Chest pain Cyanosis History of murmur

Cardiovascular
Palpitacin Falta de respiracin Duerme usted con almohada? Se despierta usted por la noche por falta de respiracin? Dolor de pecho Cianosis Historia de ruido

Hypertension Edema Convulsions How many level blocks can you walk before becoming short of breath?

Alta presin Edema Convulsiones Cuntas cuadras puede usted andar antes de sentir falta de respiracin?

Gastrointestinal
Change in appetite Abdominal pain Difficulty in swallowing Indigestion History of jaundice Hepatitis Constipation Diarrhea Change in bowel habits Change in stool shape and color Anal discomfort Hemorrhoids Nausea Vomiting Hernia Change in abdominal girth Vomiting of blood

Gastrointestinal
Cambio de apetito Dolor abdominal Dificultad tragando Indigestin Historia of ictericia Hepatitis Estreimiento Diarrea Cambio de sus evacuaciones Forma y color de evacuaciones Malestar anal Hemorroides Nusea Vmito Hernia Cambio de medida abdominal Vmito de sangre

Black, tarry stools Belching Bloating Parasites

Evacuaciones negras o color de marrn Eructacin Aventado Parsitos

Genitourinary
Pain on urination Change in urine color Do you awaken from sleep to urinate? Have you ever had red urine? Do you have any problems starting or stopping urination? Have you ever had kidney stones? Have you ever had a kidney infection?

Genitourinario
Ardor o dolor cuando urina Cambio de color de la urina Se despierta usted por la noche para orinar? Ha tenido usted orina roja? Tiene usted problemas comenzando o terminando de orina? Ha tenido alguna vez clculos en los riones? Ha tenido alguna vez infeccin en los riones?

Sexual History
Venereal disease Syphilis Gonorrhea Sores Discharge Testicular pain Scrotal swelling Sterility

Historia Sexual
Venreo enfermedade Sfilis Gonorrea Llagas Supuracin Dolor testicular Hinchazn escrotal Esterilidad

Impotence Methods of contraception History of HIV infection? Are you sexually active? Male/female? Are you having any sexual problems?

Impotencia Mtodo de contraceptivo Historia de infeccin de SIDA? Est activo sexualmente? Hombre/mujer? Tiene usted problema sexual?

Gynecologic
When was your last period? Age at onset of menstruation How long does your period last? How often do you get your period? Please write down the number. Spotting Irregularity Pain with period Hot flashes Sweating Vaginal discharge Vaginal itch Do you use birth control? What do you use? Pills IUD

Gynecologia
Cundo fue su ltima menstruacin? A qu edad usted comenz su menstruacin Cunto tiempo le dura su menstruacin? Cada cunto tiempo tiene su menstruacin? Por favor anote el nmero. Manchas Irregularidad Menstruacin con dolor Calor/frio Sudor Secrecin vaginal Picor vaginal Practica usted el control de la natalidad? Qu usa usted? Las pastillas Artefacto intrauterino

Diaphragm Other Are your menstrual periods regular? Do you think you may be pregnant now?

Diafragma Otro Es usted regular en sus perodes? Cree usted que est en estado, o encinta, ahora?

Have you ever had an abortion?

Ha tenido algn aborto?

Endocrine
Goiter Tremor Hot/cold intolerance Diabetes mellitus Hormone therapy Acne Change in skin color

Glndulas Endocrinas
Bocio Temblor Intolerancia calor/frio Diabetes mellitus Terapia hormonal Acne Cambio en color de piel

Allergic History
Sensitivity to allergens, drugs, vaccines, foods

Historia de Alergia
Sensitividad o alergias a drogas, vacunas, comidas

Eczema Hives Asthma Hay fever

Eczema Ronchas Asma Fiebre del heno

Neurologic

Neurologica

Unconsciousness Fainting Convulsions Epilepsy Loss of, or change in, sensation Gait and coordination Speech Paralysis or weakness Loss of control of urination or defecation Problems with ejaculation Problems with erection

Inconsciente (prdido del sentido) Desmayo Convulsiones Epilepsia Prdido de, o cambio en sensacin Paso y coordinacin Palabra Parlisis o debilidad Prdida del control de la orina o defecacin Problemas con eyaculacin Problemas con ereccin

Psychologic
Memory loss Mood Sleep pattern Anxiety Depression

Psicolgico
Prdida de memoria Humor Manera de dormir Ansiedad Depresin

Musculoskeletal
Trauma Swelling Arthritis Leg pain Back pain

Musculoesqueleto
Traumatismo Hinchazn Artritis Dolor de piernas Dolor de espalda

Blood, Lymphatic
Anemia Transfusion Bleeding tendency Lymph node enlargement

Sangre, Linftico
Anemia Transfusiones Tendencia a sangrar Aumento de ganglios linfticos

Physical Examination
You are now going to have a physical examination. Please remove your clothing. Can you____this? smell taste see feel hear Without moving your head, follow my finger with your eyes. Look at this spot and try to keep your eyes steady. Turn your head to the right; to the left. Read these letters for me, please. Look up. Look down.

Examen Fsico
Ahora voy a efectuar su examen fsico.

Por favor, qutese la ropa. Puede usted ____ esto? oler gustar (sentir el gusto) ver sentir oir Sin mover la cabeza, siga mi dedo con sus ojos. Mire este punto trate de mantener los ojos firmes. Mueva la cabeza a la derecha; a la izquierda. Lame estas letras, por favor. Mire para arriba. Mire para abajo.

Look at me. Keep looking at my nose. Do you hear this tuning fork vibrating? Do you feel any vibrations now? Which side do you hear best? Open your mouth, please. Stick out your tongue. Swallow, please. Turn your head, please. Take a deep breath. Cough. Cough again. Breathe through your____ mouth nose Breathe deeply, please. Breathe through your mouth, slowly. Cough, please. Please try to relax. Relax your muscles. Does it hurt more when I press or when I stop pressing suddenly? Does it hurt only where I am pressing or somewhere else?

Hacia m. Mreme la nariz. Oye este diapasn vibrar?\ Siente algunas vibraciones ahora? En que lado oye esto mas claramente? Abra su boca, por favor. Saque la lengua. Traque, por favor. Mueva la cabeza, por favor. Respire profundo. Tosa. Tosa otra vez.

Respire por su ____ boca nariz Respire fuerte, por favor. Respire por la boca, despacio. Tosa, por favor. Por favor, tranquilcese. Relaje sus msculos. Le duele ms cundo le comprimo o cundo dejo de comprimir? Le duele solamente donde aprieto o en otras lugares ms?

I will not hurt you. Tell me when you feel pain. Stand up. Sit down. Sit up. Lie down. Roll over. Say ah. Bend over. I have to examine you internally. I am going to do a pelvic examination. Put your feet in these stirrups. I am going to examine your rectum. This is a rectal examination. It's a little uncomfortable. Please give me a specimen of your ____ urine stool Please get dressed. Thank you for your time. Nice to have met you.

No voy a hacerle dao. Avseme cundo sienta dolor. Levntese. Sintese. Incorporese. Acustese. Voltearse. Diga ah. Inclnese. Tengo que examinarle por dentro. Voy a hacerle ahora un examen de la pelvis. Ponga los pies en estos estribos. Voy a examinarle el recto. Le vamos a examinar el recto. Ser un poco incmodo. Haga el favor de darnos una muestra de ____ la orina las heces fecales Por favor, vstase. Gracias por su tiempo. Ha sido un verdadero gusto.