diarrea
neutral, Mexico
The word is diarrea in Mexico and in the rest of the Spanish-speaking world. Mexican speakers also joke about la venganza de Moctezuma when a traveler gets sick from food.
Meaning: loose and frequent stools (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| diarrea | neutral, Mexico |
| la venganza de Moctezuma | joking |
To tell a doctor or pharmacist, say tengo diarrea. For a day or more, add desde ayer, meaning "since yesterday".
How does it change in a sentence?
Diarrea is feminine, so it is una diarrea fuerte. To say "I have the runs" many people also say ando mal del estómago.
When do people say it?
La venganza de Moctezuma, Moctezuma's revenge, is a travel joke about stomach trouble for visitors to Mexico. Locals use it with humor and not as a medical term.
Did you know?
- In Mexican pharmacies a drink of rehydration salts is called suero and is a common first answer to stomach trouble.
Examples in context
- Necesito algo para la diarrea.I need something for diarrhea.
- Me cayó mal la comida y ando mal del estómago.The food did not agree with me and my stomach is upset.
Example conversation
A tourist, Mark, asks the pharmacist Gloria for help in Mexico City.
- MarkBuenas tardes, tengo diarrea desde ayer.Good afternoon, I have had diarrhea since yesterday.
- GloriaLe recomiendo suero y mucha agua.I recommend rehydration salts and plenty of water.
- MarkGracias. ¿Cuánto es?Thank you. How much is it?
