claustrofóbico
/klaustɾoˈfobiko/
The Spanish word for claustrophobic is claustrofóbico. Wiktionary also lists claustrófobo.
Meaning: Suffering from claustrophobia (adj)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| claustrofóbico | /klaustɾoˈfobiko/ |
| claustrófobo | /klaustɾofobo/ (from spelling rules) |
The term is an adjective used to describe someone suffering from claustrophobia.
Which one should you use?
While claustrofóbico is the standard adjective used to describe a person's state, claustrófobo is a less common variant that functions as a synonym.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender with the person being described, so use the feminine form claustrofóbica for a woman. The adjective takes the masculine plural ending -os when describing a group of men or a mixed-gender group claustrofóbicos. The adjective takes the feminine plural ending -as when describing a group of women claustrofóbicas.
How do you pronounce it?
/klaustɾoˈfobiko/
Did you know?
- The term claustrofóbico can be used to describe a physical space, such as a room or a hallway, not just a person. In English, this is usually described as 'cramped' or 'confining'.
- Spanish speakers may use the word encerrado to mean both 'locked in' and 'claustrophobic'. Saying me siento encerrado can mean you are literally trapped or that you are having a claustrophobic reaction.
- While claustrofóbico is the standard medical term, you might hear people use the word agobiado to describe the suffocating feeling of a tight space, even if they do not have the clinical phobia.
Examples in context
- Tom no pareciera ser tan claustrofóbico como María.Tom doesn't seem to be as claustrophobic as Mary seems to be.This sentence compares the level of being claustrofóbico between two people.Tatoeba #8769738 by SemperAutumnus, translation #6662009 by CK
- Me siento claustrofóbico.I'm feeling claustrophobic.This sentence expresses the feeling of being claustrofóbico.Tatoeba #3073787 by cueyayotl, translation #2247976 by CK
- Él tiene claustrofobiaHe has claustrophobia
- Ella sufre de claustrofobiaShe suffers from claustrophobia
- Muchas personas padecen claustrofobiaMany people suffer from claustrophobia
- Mi amigo tiene pánico a los lugares estrechosMy friend has panic in narrow places
- Lo paso mal en espacios pequeñosI have a hard time in small spaces
- Cuando entro en el ascensor, siento que tengo claustrofobia.When I enter the elevator, I feel claustrophobic.
- Marcos sufre de claustrofobia, así que siempre opta por las escaleras.Marcos suffers from claustrophobia, so he always chooses the stairs.
- Andrea tiene pánico a los lugares estrechos, por eso evita los túneles.Andrea has panic in narrow places, that's why she avoids tunnels.
- Él es muy claustrofóbico en los ascensores.He is very claustrophobic in elevators.
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are standing in front of a small elevator.
- Lucía¿Quieres subir por las escaleras, Javier?Do you want to take the stairs, Javier?
- JavierSí, es que me siento claustrofóbico aquí.Yes, it's just that I feel claustrophobic in here.
- LucíaNo te preocupes, yo te acompaño.Don't worry, I will go with you.
- JavierGracias, Lucía, eres muy amable.Thanks, Lucía, you are very kind.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “claustrophobic” translations and entries claustrofóbico, claustrófobo, 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.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
