extremidad
/eɡstɾemiˈdad/feminine
The English word extremity translates to Spanish as extremidad.
The term extremidad is used to refer to the arms or legs.
Meaning: hand or foot (noun)
Which one should you use?
While in English extremity can refer to a limb or a remote end, in Spanish extremidad is most commonly used in medical or formal contexts to refer specifically to a limb (arm or leg).
How do you pronounce it?
/eɡstɾemiˈdad/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use extremidad to mean the end or edge of an object. However, in Spanish, extremo is the correct word for a physical end or edge.
Did you know?
- If you accidentally use extremidad to describe the edge of a table, a native speaker might think you are talking about a limb protruding from the furniture.
- Spanish has a distinct word, miembro, which can mean 'member' of a group or a limb of the body, creating a double meaning similar to English.
- The root of extremidad connects it to the same Proto-Indo-European source as the English word 'edge'.
Examples in context
- El accidente le dejó graves lesiones en las extremidades.The accident left him with severe injuries to his extremities.
- El médico examinó cuidadosamente sus miembros para detectar posibles fracturas.The doctor carefully examined his limbs for possible fractures.
- El futbolista se lastimó la pierna durante el partido.The soccer player injured his leg during the game.
- El médico revisó cada extremidad.The doctor examined every extremity.
- Tiene una herida en la extremidad inferior.He has a wound on his lower extremity.
Example conversation
At a medical clinic.
- LucíaLucía, ¿tiene dolor en alguna extremidad?Lucía, do you have pain in any extremity?
- DanielSí, me duele la extremidad derecha.Yes, my right extremity hurts.
- LucíaVoy a examinar esa extremidad ahora.I am going to examine that extremity now.
- DanielGracias, doctor Daniel.Thank you, doctor Daniel.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “extremity” translations and entries extremidad, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries extremidad, CC BY-SA 4.0.
