diabético
/djaˈbetiko/
The Spanish word for "diabetic" is diabético.
The word diabético is used to describe someone who has diabetes. It can function as an adjective to describe a person or condition, or as a noun to refer to a person suffering from diabetes mellitus.
Meaning: having diabetes (adj)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the word changes to agree with the gender and number of the subject. While diabético is the masculine singular form, you use diabética for a feminine subject. For plural groups, use diabéticos for masculine or mixed-gender groups and diabéticas for groups consisting only of females.
How do you pronounce it?
/djaˈbetiko/
When do people say it?
To refer to someone with diabetes in a more respectful and inclusive way, you can use the phrase persona con diabetes (person with diabetes).
Did you know?
- The word diabético shares its root with the Greek word for 'siphon', as the condition was historically described as the body acting like a pipe that lets water pass through.
- Spanish speakers often use the phrase el azúcar (the sugar) as a shorthand for the entire condition when discussing how a diabético is feeling.
- The suffix -ico in diabético is a common marker for Greek-derived technical terms in Spanish, which often distinguishes them from words derived from Latin.
Examples in context
- Mi padrastro era diabético.My stepfather was diabetic.This sentence shows how to use diabético to describe a person in the past tense.Tatoeba #4769155 by alegarvid, translation #4499685 by CK
- ¿Qué alimentos no debería tomar un diabético?What foods should a diabetic not eat?This sentence shows how to use diabético as a noun referring to a person.Tatoeba #1206096 by Shishir, translation #954543 by CK
- Tom es diabético.Tom is diabetic.This sentence shows how to use diabético to describe a person in the present tense.Tatoeba #2383137 by hayastan, translation #2236651 by CK
- Es una persona con diabetes tipo 1He/she is a person with type 1 diabetes
- Mi hermana es diabéticaMy sister is diabetic
- Juan es diabético desde hace 10 años.Juan has been diabetic for 10 years.
- María es una persona con diabetes tipo 2.María is a person with type 2 diabetes.
- Me diagnosticaron como diabético recientemente.I was recently diagnosed as diabetic.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are deciding what to order for dessert.
- JavierElena, ¿quieres probar este pastel de chocolate?Elena, do you want to try this chocolate cake?
- ElenaNo gracias, recuerda que soy diabético.No thank you, remember that I am diabetic.
- JavierEs verdad, lo siento mucho.That's true, I am very sorry.
- ElenaNo pasa nada, busquemos un postre sin azúcar.It's okay, let's look for a sugar-free dessert.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “diabetic” translations and entries diabético, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries diabético, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
