convulsión cerebral
/kombulsjon θeɾebɾal/from spelling rules
The English phrase "brain seizure" is translated into Spanish as convulsión cerebral.
convulsión cerebral refers to a sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain that causes temporary changes in behavior or consciousness. In many medical contexts, people may colloquially refer to a seizure as an ataque (for example, un ataque de epilepsia).
Which one should you use?
Medical professionals often use the term crisis epiléptica to describe a seizure more precisely than convulsión cerebral.
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, a sudden seizure or fainting spell is colloquially called a soponcio, a word that implies a dramatic or emotional collapse.
- While ataque is used for seizures, it is also the standard word for a 'heart attack' (ataque al corazón), which can cause confusion in emergency situations if the location is not specified.
- The word convulsión shares the same Latin root as the English word 'convulse', but in Spanish it is frequently used as a general term for any seizure, even those without physical shaking.
Example conversation
Two people are talking about a medical emergency at work.
- JavierLucía, ¿qué le pasó al colega?Lucía, what happened to our colleague?
- LucíaTuvo una convulsión cerebral repentina.He had a sudden brain seizure.
- JavierQué susto, ¿ya llegó la ambulancia?How scary, has the ambulance arrived yet?
- LucíaSí, ya se lo llevan al hospital.Yes, they are already taking him to the hospital.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
