coágulo
/koˈaɡulo/masculine
The English word 'clot' (referring to a blood clot) is translated into Spanish as coágulo.
Coágulo is the noun used to refer to a blood clot. If you need to describe the biological process of blood forming a clot, you should use the reflexive verb coagularse.
Meaning: blood clot (noun)
Which one should you use?
While coágulo is the common term for a clot, trombo is a formal term.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun coágulo is masculine and requires masculine articles such as el or un. The verb coagularse is reflexive.
How do you pronounce it?
/koˈaɡulo/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, the word cuajar is used colloquially to mean that a plan or an idea has 'solidified' and will actually work. It treats a successful plan like a clot or a curd.
- The word coagular is used in Spanish gastronomy to describe the setting of gels, jams and puddings. In English, 'coagulate' is rarely used for food and is seen as too clinical.
- The word coágulo has a linguistic sibling in the word cuajo, which refers to rennet used in cheesemaking. Both words share the same Latin root meaning 'to curdle' or 'to thicken'.
Examples in context
- El médico encontró un coágulo en su pierna.The doctor found a clot in her leg.
- La paciente necesita tomar medicamentos para prevenir la formación de trombos.The patient needs to take medication to prevent thrombus formation.
- Mi hermana tuvo un coágulo de sangre en su pulmón.My sister had a blood clot in her lung.
- El paciente tiene un coágulo en la pierna.The patient has a clot in the leg.
- El médico encontró un coágulo.The doctor found a clot.
- Tengo miedo de tener un coágulo.I am afraid of having a clot.
- Ese coágulo es muy peligroso.That clot is very dangerous.
Example conversation
Alejandro is talking to María at the clinic.
- AlejandroMaría, ¿qué dijo el doctor sobre mi pierna?María, what did the doctor say about my leg?
- MaríaDijo que tienes un coágulo pequeño.He said that you have a small clot.
- Alejandro¿Es peligroso ese coágulo ahora mismo?Is that clot dangerous right now?
- MaríaNo, pero debes tomar la medicina hoy.No, but you must take the medicine today.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “clot” translations and entries coágulo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries coágulo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
