25 Spanish Health and Medical Vocabulary Every Beginner Must Know

Spanish Health and Medical Vocabulary

Learning a new language is not only about greetings, numbers, or travel expressions. At some point, you may need to visit a doctor, explain a symptom, or understand instructions at a pharmacy. This is why Spanish health and medical vocabulary is essential for every beginner.

In fact, health-related conversations are among the most practical situations you will face while traveling or living abroad. With the right words, you can describe pain, ask for help, or understand prescriptions. Mastering these expressions builds confidence and ensures your safety.

This guide introduces 25 Spanish health and medical vocabulary words that every beginner must know. Each term is explained with meaning, example sentences, and usage tips. By the end, you will feel more prepared to handle basic medical conversations in Spanish.

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Why Learning Spanish Health and Medical Vocabulary Matters

Health is universal. Whether you are in Spain, Mexico, or any other Spanish-speaking country, the ability to describe how you feel can make a big difference. Knowing these words helps in emergencies, routine check-ups, and even while buying medicine at a pharmacy.

Doctors and pharmacists may not always speak English. If you can use simple Spanish medical vocabulary, communication becomes easier. This not only avoids misunderstandings but also helps you feel more in control of your situation.

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25 Spanish Health and Medical Vocabulary for Beginners

Let’s explore the essential words. To make it easier, we’ll group them into categories: body parts, common symptoms, places and people, medicines, and actions.

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1. Body Parts (Partes del Cuerpo)

Understanding body parts is the first step in explaining symptoms.

1. Cabeza – Head
You might need to say “Me duele la cabeza” (I have a headache).

2. Estómago – Stomach
Useful when saying “Tengo dolor de estómago” (I have a stomachache).

3. Pecho – Chest
Important if you want to describe chest pain. Example: “Me duele el pecho.”

4. Pierna – Leg
If you injure your leg, you can say: “Me duele la pierna.”

5. Mano – Hand
Example: “Me corté la mano” (I cut my hand).

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2. Common Symptoms (Síntomas Comunes)

Symptoms help you explain exactly what you feel.

6. Dolor – Pain
You can combine it with body parts. Example: “Tengo dolor de espalda” (I have back pain).

7. Fiebre – Fever
Say “Tengo fiebre” when you have a high temperature.

8. Tos – Cough
A common phrase is “Tengo tos.”

9. Mareo – Dizziness
If you feel dizzy: “Tengo mareo.”

10. Resfriado – Cold
This is the word for the common cold. Example: “Estoy resfriado.”

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3. Places and People (Lugares y Personas)

When dealing with health, you will visit specific places and meet professionals.

11. Médico – Doctor
The most basic word. Example: “Necesito ver a un médico.”

12. Enfermera – Nurse
A nurse often helps before the doctor arrives.

13. Hospital – Hospital
If it’s an emergency, you might ask: “¿Dónde está el hospital?”

14. Clínica – Clinic
Clinics are common for smaller health issues.

15. Farmacia – Pharmacy
Use it when you need medicine. Example: “Voy a la farmacia.”

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4. Medicines and Treatment (Medicinas y Tratamiento)

You also need to talk about medicine or treatment.

16. Medicina – Medicine
A general word for drugs or treatment.

17. Pastilla – Pill / Tablet
Example: “Necesito una pastilla para el dolor.”

18. Jarabe – Syrup
Used especially for coughs. Example: “El jarabe es para la tos.”

19. Receta – Prescription
Doctors give you this paper. Example: “Tengo una receta del médico.”

20. Vacuna – Vaccine
Important for health care. Example: “Me pusieron una vacuna.”

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5. Actions and Situations (Acciones y Situaciones)

These verbs and expressions will help you explain what you need.

21. Doler – To hurt
“Me duele la cabeza” is the most common structure.

22. Tomar – To take (medicine)
Example: “Necesito tomar esta medicina.”

23. Sentirse – To feel
Say: “Me siento mal” (I feel sick).

24. Sangrar – To bleed
Example: “Estoy sangrando” (I am bleeding).

25. Curar – To heal / cure
You might hear: “Esto ayuda a curar la herida.”

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Spanish Health and Medical Vocabulary Table

Spanish Word	English Meaning	Example Sentence (Spanish)	Example Sentence (English)
Cabeza	Head	Me duele la cabeza.	My head hurts.
Estómago	Stomach	Tengo dolor de estómago.	I have a stomachache.
Pecho	Chest	Me duele el pecho.	My chest hurts.
Pierna	Leg	Me lastimé la pierna.	I injured my leg.
Mano	Hand	Me corté la mano.	I cut my hand.
Dolor	Pain	Tengo dolor de espalda.	I have back pain.
Fiebre	Fever	Tengo fiebre desde ayer.	I have had a fever since yesterday.
Tos	Cough	Tengo tos fuerte.	I have a bad cough.
Mareo	Dizziness	Siento mareo.	I feel dizzy.
Resfriado	Cold (illness)	Estoy resfriado.	I have a cold.
Médico	Doctor	Necesito ver a un médico.	I need to see a doctor.
Enfermera	Nurse	La enfermera me ayudó.	The nurse helped me.
Hospital	Hospital	Voy al hospital ahora.	I am going to the hospital now.
Clínica	Clinic	La clínica está cerca.	The clinic is nearby.
Farmacia	Pharmacy	¿Dónde está la farmacia?	Where is the pharmacy?
Medicina	Medicine	Necesito comprar medicina.	I need to buy medicine.
Pastilla	Pill / Tablet	Tomé una pastilla para el dolor.	I took a pill for the pain.
Jarabe	Syrup	El jarabe es para la tos.	The syrup is for the cough.
Receta	Prescription	El médico me dio una receta.	The doctor gave me a prescription.
Vacuna	Vaccine	Me pusieron una vacuna.	They gave me a vaccine.
Doler	To hurt	Me duele la garganta.	My throat hurts.
Tomar	To take (medicine)	Debo tomar la medicina tres veces al día.	I must take the medicine three times a day.
Sentirse	To feel	Me siento cansado.	I feel tired.
Sangrar	To bleed	Estoy sangrando mucho.	I am bleeding a lot.
Curar	To heal / cure	La medicina ayuda a curar la infección.	The medicine helps cure the infection.

How to Use Spanish Health Vocabulary in Real Life

Memorizing words is useful, but practice makes the difference. Use these terms in role-play situations or short dialogues. For example:

• “Tengo fiebre y tos.” (I have fever and cough.)
• “¿Dónde está la farmacia más cercana?” (Where is the nearest pharmacy?)
• “Necesito medicina para el dolor de cabeza.” (I need medicine for a headache.)

When possible, practice with native speakers or language partners. Even if you make mistakes, people will appreciate your effort.

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Helpful Phrases for Emergencies

Apart from vocabulary, certain ready-made phrases can save time in emergencies:

• “Necesito un médico.” (I need a doctor.)
• “Llame a una ambulancia.” (Call an ambulance.)
• “Me siento muy mal.” (I feel very sick.)
• “Soy alérgico a la penicilina.” (I am allergic to penicillin.)

These phrases combine essential words with polite requests.

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Tips for Remembering Spanish Health and Medical Vocabulary

• Connect with real situations: Imagine yourself at a doctor’s office. What would you say?
• Make flashcards: Write the Spanish word on one side and English on the other.
• Practice daily: Even 5 minutes of repetition makes a big difference.
• Listen and repeat: Hearing native pronunciation helps you remember faster.

Transitioning from memorization to usage is key. When you practice actively, vocabulary becomes second nature.

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Cultural Notes on Health in Spanish-Speaking Countries

Understanding culture helps you use the language more effectively. In many Spanish-speaking countries, pharmacies play an important role. Pharmacists often recommend medicine without requiring a doctor’s visit.

In addition, politeness matters. When asking for help, use “por favor” (please) and “gracias” (thank you). This shows respect and makes communication smoother.

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Expanding Beyond the Basics

The 25 Spanish health and medical vocabulary words listed here are just the beginning. As you progress, you can add more specific terms such as:

• “Presión arterial” (blood pressure)
• “Infección” (infection)
• “Cirugía” (surgery)
• “Síntomas” (symptoms)

Building step by step prevents overwhelm. Focus first on the words you are most likely to need.

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Final Thoughts

Health is a priority in every language. By learning Spanish health and medical vocabulary, you gain the ability to describe your needs, understand professionals, and stay safe during travel or daily life.

Start with these 25 essential words and practice them regularly. Over time, you will expand your vocabulary and feel more confident. Remember, communication is about clarity, not perfection. Even simple words can make a huge difference.

So, whether you’re traveling, living abroad, or simply learning Spanish, these words are must-know essentials for beginners.

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✅ Action Step for You: Write three sentences today using new words from this list. Try saying them out loud. The more you use them, the faster they will stay in your memory.

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