estreñimiento
/estɾeɲiˈmjento/masculine
The Spanish word for constipation is estreñimiento.
estreñimiento is the noun used to describe the state of the bowels. If you want to describe the physical state of being constipated rather than using the noun, you use the adjective phrase estar estreñido.
Meaning: state of bowels (noun)
Which one should you use?
The noun estreñimiento refers to the condition itself, whereas estar estreñido is the phrase used to say that someone is constipated. For a more formal medical context, you can use obstipación. In a casual or colloquial setting, you might hear the expression estar tapado/a, which literally means to be clogged up.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico and some Central American countries, constipación is used as an alternative to estreñimiento.
How do you pronounce it?
/estɾeɲiˈmjento/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using the word constipado to mean you are constipated. While it sounds similar to the English word, in Spanish constipado actually means having a cold or being congested.
Did you know?
- The verb at the heart of estreñimiento, estreñir, shares an ancient ancestor with the English word 'strain'.
- In Mexico and some Central American countries, the word constipación can be used for bowel issues, whereas in Spain it primarily refers to a cold.
- The suffix '-miento' in estreñimiento functions similarly to the English '-ment' in 'movement', turning a verb into a noun describing a state or result.
Examples in context
- Tengo estreñimientoI have constipation
- Mi paciente sufre de estreñimiento y necesita tratamiento adecuado.My patient suffers from constipation and needs proper treatment.
- Me siento mal, creo que estoy tapado/a.I feel unwell, I think I'm constipated.
- El estreñimiento puede ser muy doloroso.Constipation can be very painful.
- Necesito un remedio para el estreñimiento.I need a remedy for constipation.
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are talking at home about health.
- JavierElena, no me siento bien hoy.Elena, I don't feel well today.
- Elena¿Es por el estreñimiento de nuevo?Is it because of the constipation again?
- JavierSí, tengo un estreñimiento terrible.Yes, I have terrible constipation.
- ElenaDeberías beber más agua, Javier.You should drink more water, Javier.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “constipation” translations and entries estreñimiento, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries estreñimiento, CC BY-SA 4.0.
