If you are planning a move to Spain, already living in Spain or just planning a visit, you should really learn the body parts in Spanish. You never know when you are going to need to make that trip to the médico or doctor.
When you are in a foreign country, it is best to learn some basic vocabulary before your trip. We usually start off with the basic manners and greetings and count up to five. That usually gets us started if we are just going on a short vacation or something.
If you have moved or are planning a move to Spain, it is a good idea to learn a bit more than that before your arrival. I would also like to recommend you learn where the medical care centers are upon your arrival as well.
It seems that we get that urgent message from a client or a reader asking where the doctor is or what to say to them, but only when they are in immediate need of a doctor. That said, it isn’t a good feeling and some of the stress can be prevented by knowing a bit of vocabulary.
We will review the main body parts in Spanish with you, including the English meaning as well. In addition, there will be a few common illnesses and phrases you may use at the doctor as well.
Body parts in Spanish and English
el cuerpo – the body
la piel – the skin
el hueso – the bone
el músculo – the muscle
la sangre – the blood
análisis de sangre – analysis of blood
Head and Face
la cabeza – the head
el pelo – the hair
la oreja – the ear
la cara – the face
la frente – the forehead
las cejas – the eyebrows
el ojo – the eye
las pestañas – the eyelashes
la nariz – the nose
las mejillas – the cheeks
la boca – the mouth
los labios – the lips
la lengua – the tongue
el diente – the tooth
la barbilla – the chin
Neck and Upper Body
la garganta – the throat
el cuello – the neck
los hombros – the shoulders
los brazos – the arms
los codos – the elbows
las muñecas – the wrists
los manos – the hands
los dedos – the fingers
el pecho – the chest
las costillas – the ribs
el corazón the heart
la espalda – the back
la cintura – the waist
el estómago – the stomach
el ombligo – belly button
Legs and Lower Body
la cola – the tail/the butt
la pelvis – the pelvis
la cadera – hip
las piernas – the legs
el muslo – the thigh
las rodillas – the knees
la pantorrilla – the calf
la espinilla – the shin
los tobillos – the ankles
los pies – the feet
el talón – the heel
los dedos del pie – the toes
Handy Phrases
- Doctor in Spanish – Medico
- I need an appointment – Necesito una cita
- I have an appointment – Tengo una cita
- Private – Privado
- Insurance in Spanish – Seguro
- Pain – Dolor
- I hurt or I have pain – Me duele
- Health or healthy in Spanish – Salud
Descriptions to tell the doctor in Spanish
derecho – right
izquierdo – left
Estoy enfermo/enferma – I am sick (males say enfermo, females say enferma)
Me duele/ la/el ______ – “My ______ hurts.” (singular like; arm, leg, eye, etc…)
Me duele el brazo izquierdo – my left arm hurts
Mis duelen las/los ______ – “My ______ hurt.” (plural like; arms, legs, eyes, etc..)
Me duelen los brazos – my arms hurt
What the doctor may say in Spanish
¿Cuál es el problema? – What is the problem?
¿Tiene dolor? – Do you have pain?
¿Que tipo de síntomas tiene? – What kind of symptoms do you have?
¿Donde le duele? Where does it hurt (you)?
¿Tiene fiebre? Do you have fever?
Common Illnesses
Dolor de cabeza – Headache
Fatiga – Fatigue
Náusea – Nausea
Diarrea – Diarrhea
Estreñimiento – Constipation
Insomnio – Insomnia
catarro/resfriado – a cold
Gripe – Flu
Alergia – Allergy
Asma – Asthma
Depresión – Depression
Diabetes – Diabetes
Tos – Cough
A song to learn the body parts in Spanish
Just like when you were a kid, a great way to memorize something is with repetition or with a tune. This little video is great for people of all ages and will help you learn the main body parts in Spanish, in no time at all! Have fun!
References and Emergency numbers
The main emergency number to call in Spain is 112, but there are more!
Read more here.
List of 139 medical terms in Spanish, read more.