cólicos abdominales
/kolikos abdominales/from spelling rules
Abdominal cramps in Spanish is cólicos abdominales.
This phrase refers to sharp, gripping pains in the stomach area that often come and go. In many medical or casual situations, speakers may shorten the phrase to just cólicos if it is already clear that the pain is located in the abdomen.
What does it mean word for word?
The term is a direct translation: cólicos means cramps or colic and abdominales means abdominal.
Which one should you use?
While cólicos abdominales is the standard term, you may encounter other variations. Use cólico abdominal when referring to a single cramp in the singular form. Use Dolores abdominales for a more formal tone, Retorcijones de estómago to describe a twisting or knotting sensation or Dolor de tripas to describe aching sensations specifically in the intestines.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Chile, it is common to use the expression Dolor de guata to refer to abdominal cramps.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of the phrase is cólico abdominal.
Did you know?
- The term cólico is shared with English 'colic', but in Spanish, it describes any episodic abdominal pain, whereas in English it often specifically refers to infants.
- The Chilean phrase dolor de guata uses the word guata, which is a colloquial term for belly derived from the Mapudungun language of the indigenous Mapuche people.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, cólicos is used almost exclusively to refer to menstrual cramps, even without the word abdominales.
Examples in context
- Tengo dolores abdominales después de comer demasiado.I have abdominal cramps after eating too much.
- Estoy sufriendo de retorcijones de estómago. ¿Tienes algún remedio?I'm suffering from stomach cramps. Do you have any remedies?
- Tengo cólicos abdominales muy fuertes.I have very strong abdominal cramps.
- Los cólicos abdominales pueden ser muy dolorosos.Abdominal cramps can be very painful.
- Siento unos cólicos abdominales constantes.I feel constant abdominal cramps.
Example conversation
María is telling Alejandro why she cannot go to lunch.
- MaríaNo puedo ir a comer, tengo cólicos abdominales.I can't go to lunch, I have abdominal cramps.
- AlejandroLo siento mucho, María. ¿Quieres un té?I'm so sorry, María. Do you want some tea?
- MaríaSí, por favor. Estos cólicos abdominales son molestos.Yes, please. These abdominal cramps are annoying.
- AlejandroClaro, te preparo uno ahora mismo.Of course, I'll make you one right now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
