calambres
/kalambɾes/from spelling rules
The Spanish word for cramps is calambres.
Calambres refers to the cramping of the muscles. To say you are experiencing them, you should use the phrase tener calambres (to have cramps).
Meaning: cramping of the muscles (noun)
Which one should you use?
While calambres is the plural form, the singular form is calambre. However, calambres is much more common when describing the sensation of muscle cramping.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form is calambres and the singular form is calambre.
How do you pronounce it?
/kalambɾes/
Did you know?
- Beyond muscle cramps, calambre is often used to describe an electric shock from touching a live wire. In this context, it describes the sudden, involuntary muscle contraction caused by electricity.
- In some Spanish-speaking countries, if you want to say 'I had a cramp', you would not say 'tuve un calambre' but rather me dio un calambre, as if the cramp was an external force that 'gave' itself to you.
- While English speakers use 'cramps' to refer to menstrual pain, using calambres in Spanish to describe this sensation might be confusing, as it specifically implies a localized muscle spasm rather than general abdominal discomfort.
Examples in context
- Yo tengo calambres.I have cramps.This sentence is useful for expressing that you have calambres.Tatoeba #9065752 by rafaeldejesus8199, translation #9065754 by rafaeldejesus8199
- Durante mi período, sufro de dolores menstruales.During my period, I suffer from menstrual pains.
- Me duelen mucho los ovarios cuando estoy con la regla.My ovaries hurt a lot when I'm on my period.
- He estado experimentando calambres musculares después del ejercicio intenso.I've been experiencing muscle cramps after intense exercise.
- Últimamente he tenido dolores abdominales y no sé qué los está causando.Lately, I've been having abdominal pains, and I don't know what's causing them.
- Los calambres en las piernas son muy dolorosos.Leg cramps are very painful.
- Ella siente calambres después de correr mucho.She feels cramps after running a lot.
Example conversation
Sofía and Daniel are talking at the gym.
- Sofía¿Estás bien, Daniel?Are you okay, Daniel?
- DanielNo, tengo calambres en el brazo.No, I have cramps in my arm.
- SofíaDebes beber más agua para evitar los calambres.You should drink more water to avoid cramps.
- DanielTienes razón, Sofía.You are right, Sofía.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
