amputar
/ampuˈtaɾ/
To amputate in Spanish is amputar.
The verb amputar is used to describe the surgical removal of a body part.
Meaning: to surgically remove a body part (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun form of this verb is amputación (amputation). To describe someone or something that has undergone the procedure, use the past participle amputado (amputated), which can function as an adjective or be used to form perfect tenses.
How do you pronounce it?
/ampuˈtaɾ/
Did you know?
- The root of amputar is related to the Latin putō, which also means 'to reckon' or 'to think', suggesting a process of cleaning or refining by removing the unnecessary.
- While amputar describes the surgical act, Spanish often uses mochar in rural or colloquial contexts to describe cutting off a limb or a horn.
- While amputación refers to the medical act, Spanish speakers use the verb truncar metaphorically to describe a life or career that was 'amputated' or cut short unexpectedly.
Examples in context
- «Tenemos que amputar.» «¿Qué dirá cuando se despierte?»"We'll have to amputate." "What will he say when he wakes up?"The first example shows the use of amputar in a medical necessity context.Tatoeba #9965479 by Shishir, translation #9966317 by DJ_Saidez
- Voy a tener que amputar.I'll have to amputate.The second example shows the use of amputar to express a personal necessity.Tatoeba #8669825 by ajje, translation #8669826 by ajje
- El médico decidió amputar la pierna del paciente.The doctor decided to amputate the patient's leg.
- El cirujano debió realizar una amputación debido a la gravedad de la lesión.The surgeon had to perform an amputation due to the severity of the injury.
- A Juan le tuvieron que cortar la mano después del accidente.Juan had to have his hand amputated after the accident.
- Después del accidente, le sacaron el brazo.After the accident, they removed his arm.
- Durante la consulta médica, el especialista recomendó amputar el dedo para detener la infección.During the medical consultation, the specialist recommended amputating the finger to stop the infection.
- El médico optó por realizar una amputación total del miembro afectado.The doctor opted to perform a total amputation of the affected limb.
- Es fundamental brindar apoyo emocional a los pacientes que han sufrido una amputación.Providing emotional support to patients who have undergone an amputation is crucial.
- El médico decidió amputar la pierna.The doctor decided to amputate the leg.
Example conversation
A doctor is explaining a medical procedure to a patient's family.
- María¿Es necesario amputar el dedo?Is it necessary to amputate the finger?
- AlejandroSí, María, es la única opción.Yes, María, it is the only option.
- MaríaEntiendo, Alejandro, me preocupa mucho.I understand, Alejandro, I am very worried.
- AlejandroLo haremos con mucho cuidado.We will do it with great care.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “amputate” translations and entries amputar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries amputar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
