epilepsia
/epiˈlebsja/feminine
The English word "epilepsy" is epilepsia in Spanish. Wiktionary also lists gota caduca and gota coral.
Meaning: medical condition (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| epilepsia | /epiˈlebsja/ | feminine |
| gota caduca | /ɡota kaduka/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| gota coral | /ɡota koɾal/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| mal caduco | /mal kaduko/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
epilepsia is a noun used to refer to the medical condition. When stating that someone has the condition, use the verb tener (to have) rather than ser (to be).
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun epilepsia is feminine and is used with the feminine definite article la (la epilepsia).
How do you pronounce it?
/epiˈlebsja/
Did you know?
- Historical Spanish terms for the condition include gota coral, a phrase that uses the word for 'coral' to describe the ailment.
- The word gota in the phrase gota caduca is a linguistic relative of the English word 'gout'. Both come from the Latin word gutta, meaning 'drop'.
- One of the older ways to refer to the condition is mal caduco, which literally translates to a 'perishing evil' or 'falling sickness'.
Examples in context
- La epilepsia puede tener distintas causas.Epilepsy can have various causes.This sentence is useful for showing that there can be various causes for epilepsia.Tatoeba #1126472 by marcelostockle, translation #2502033 by Dejo
- Tengo epilepsia.I have epilepsy.This sentence is useful for saying that you have epilepsia.Tatoeba #2801096 by robbieheslop, translation #2800601 by robbieheslop
- ¿Cuáles son los síntomas de la epilepsia?What are the symptoms of epilepsy?
- El tratamiento de la epilepsia ha mejorado significativamente.Epilepsy treatment has improved significantly.
- Ella padece de epilepsia desde pequeña.She has suffered from epilepsy since she was a child.
Example conversation
Javier and María are discussing a medical history at a clinic.
- Javier¿Sabe si ella tiene epilepsia?Do you know if she has epilepsy?
- MaríaNo estoy segura, Javier.I am not sure, Javier.
- JavierEs importante saberlo para su tratamiento.It is important to know it for her treatment.
- MaríaPreguntaré a su médico ahora mismo.I will ask her doctor right now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “epilepsy” translations and entries epilepsia, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries caduco, coral, epilepsia, gota, mal, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
