crisis de ausencia
/kɾisis de ausenθja/from spelling rulesfeminine
The English phrase 'absence seizure' is translated into Spanish as crisis de ausencia.
This term is used to describe a petit mal epileptic seizure.
Meaning: term for a petit mal epileptic seizure (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of crisis (meaning crisis or attack) and de ausencia (meaning of absence).
Which one should you use?
Crisis de ausencia and Crisis de ausencia epiléptica are both formal ways to describe the condition. For informal contexts, you might hear Ataques de despiste or Episodio de desconexión.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Crisis de ausencia is a common expression used in Latin America.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun crisis is feminine.
How do you pronounce it?
/kɾisis de ausenθja/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, describing a child's behavior as está en las nubes (he is in the clouds) can be a common layman's way to describe the appearance of a crisis de ausencia.
- While crisis de ausencia is the medical term, the informal phrase ataques de despiste uses despiste, which usually refers to a driver veering off the road or a simple lapse in concentration.
- The word crisis actually comes from an Ancient Greek word meaning 'decision' or 'judgment'.
Examples in context
- El paciente experimenta episodios frecuentes de crisis de ausencia.The patient experiences frequent episodes of absence seizures.
- Mi hija tiene ataques de despiste.My daughter has absence seizures.
- El niño padece de petit mal.The child suffers from absence seizures.
- El paciente presentó una crisis de ausencia durante la noche.The patient presented an absence seizure during the night.
- El paciente tuvo una crisis de ausencia.The patient had an absence seizure.
- A veces presenta una crisis de ausencia muy breve.Sometimes he presents a very brief absence seizure.
- La crisis de ausencia puede confundirse con distracciones.An absence seizure can be confused with being distracted.
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are discussing a medical report at a clinic.
- Elena¿Cómo fue la crisis de ausencia de Javier?How was Javier's absence seizure?
- JavierFue muy corta y no parecía dolorosa.It was very short and did not seem painful.
- ElenaEs bueno que él esté estable ahora.It is good that he is stable now.
- JavierSí, el médico está monitoreando su evolución.Yes, the doctor is monitoring his progress.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “absence seizure” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ausencia, crisis, de, CC BY-SA 4.0.
