calambre
/kaˈlambɾe/
The English phrase 'charlie horse' is translated into Spanish as calambre.
A calambre refers to a sudden, painful muscle cramp, which most commonly occurs in the leg. To express that you are experiencing one, you typically use the verb tener (to have), such as in the phrase tener un calambre (to have a muscle cramp).
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of calambre is calambres, used when referring to multiple muscle cramps.
How do you pronounce it?
/kaˈlambɾe/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the word calambre is used to describe both a muscle cramp and the sensation of an electric shock.
- The Spanish word calambre is a doublet of the word rampa, which means 'ramp' or 'incline'.
- If you are in a medical context in Spain, a doctor might distinguish between a calambre (a sudden cramp) and a espasmo (a muscle spasm), which have slightly different physiological meanings.
Examples in context
- El paciente sufre de un calambre muscular en la pierna.The patient suffers from a muscle cramp in the leg.
- Anoche tuve un calambre en la pierna derecha mientras dormía. Fue muy incómodo.Last night I had a cramp in my right leg while I was sleeping. It was very uncomfortable.
- Cada vez que hago ejercicio intenso, termino con calambres musculares.Every time I do intense exercise, I end up with muscle cramps.
- Me dio un calambre en la pierna.I got a cramp in my leg.
- Tengo un calambre muy fuerte en el brazo.I have a very strong cramp in my arm.
- ¿Te dio un calambre mientras dormías?Did you get a cramp while you were sleeping?
Example conversation
Mateo and María are stretching after a run.
- Mateo¡Ay! Me dio un calambre en la pantorrilla.Ouch! I got a cramp in my calf.
- MaríaSiéntate un momento, Mateo.Sit down for a moment, Mateo.
- MateoGracias, es un calambre muy doloroso.Thanks, it is a very painful cramp.
- MaríaTrata de estirar el músculo suavemente.Try to stretch the muscle gently.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry calambre, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries calambre, CC BY-SA 4.0.
