ojo seco
/oxo seko/from spelling rules
The English phrase "dry eye" is translated into Spanish as ojo seco.
ojo seco is used to describe the medical condition where the eyes lack sufficient lubrication. In a clinical or medical context, you may hear the term síndrome de ojo seco to refer to the condition more specifically.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of ojo, meaning eye and seco, meaning dry.
Which one should you use?
While ojo seco is a common way to refer to the condition, El síndrome del ojo seco is a more formal way to express "dry eye syndrome".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, you can use el ojo seco crónico to emphasize that the condition is chronic.
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to the condition in the plural ("dry eyes"), you must pluralize both the noun and the adjective to ojos secos.
Did you know?
- The Spanish word ojo is a linguistic relative of the English word 'ogle', as both words derive from a common ancestor referring to the eye.
- Beyond medical contexts, calling a person seco suggests they are curt or lack emotional warmth.
- The word ojo is used to describe the center of a storm or a needle, similar to English, but it also refers to the 'eye' of a potato in Spanish.
Examples in context
- He visitado al oftalmólogo porque sufro del síndrome del ojo seco.I visited the ophthalmologist because I suffer from dry eye syndrome.
- ¡Mis ojos están tan secos hoy! No puedo dejar de parpadear.My eyes are so dry today! I can't stop blinking.
- Siento el ojo reseco y como si tuviera arena adentro. Además, tengo visión borrosa.I feel dryness and like there's sand inside my eye. Additionally, I have blurry vision.
- mis ojos se sienten arenosos y enrojecidosMy eyes feel gritty and red
- Tengo el ojo seco por las pantallas.I have dry eye from the screens.
- El médico me diagnosticó ojo seco.The doctor diagnosed me with dry eye.
- Las gotas ayudan con el ojo seco.The drops help with dry eye.
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are talking about health at home.
- ElenaDaniel, ¿tienes los ojos rojos?Daniel, are your eyes red?
- DanielSí, creo que es por el ojo seco.Yes, I think it is because of dry eye.
- ElenaDeberías ir al médico pronto.You should go to the doctor soon.
- DanielTienes razón, pediré una cita hoy.You are right, I will make an appointment today.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ojo, seco, CC BY-SA 4.0.
