Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| latido | /laˈtido/ | masculine |
| latido del corazón | /latido del koɾaθon/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /latido del koɾason/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
masculine |
| latido cardíaco / cardiaco | masculine | |
| latido cardial | /latido kaɾdjal/ (from spelling rules) | masculine, rare |
The word is used to describe one pulsation of the heart. While latido can stand alone, the phrase latido del corazón is the most common way to specify that the beat belongs to the heart.
What does it mean word for word?
The word latido means a beat or a throb. It is derived from the verb latir, which means to beat or to throb in the context of a heart or pulse.
Which one should you use?
The form latido del corazón is the standard way to specify a heartbeat. The form latido cardíaco or cardiaco refers specifically to a cardiac beat. The form latido cardial is quite rare. For a formal or technical way to refer to a heartbeat, you may also use pulso cardíaco.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In clinical or technical settings, latido cardíaco is used as the medical term. For a formal context, pulso cardíaco is the preferred way to say heartbeat.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word is a masculine noun. The plural form is latidos.
How do you pronounce it?
/laˈtido/
Did you know?
- The word corazón is one of the most common terms of endearment in Spanish, used similarly to 'honey' or 'sweetheart' regardless of the relationship.
- The word corazón shares a common ancestor with the English word 'core', as both trace back to the Latin 'cor' meaning heart.
- While latido refers to the beat itself, Spanish speakers often use palpitar as a verb to describe the sensation of a heart fluttering from nervousness or excitement.
Examples in context
- Sus latidos son de lo más normal.His heartbeat is absolutely normal.This sentence is useful for describing the normality of the latido.Tatoeba #7160218 by arh, translation #7918412 by fpp
- Ahoga el sonido de la incertidumbre con tus propios latidos.Drown out the voice of uncertainty with the sound of your own heartbeat.This sentence uses latido to describe the sound of one's own heartbeat.Tatoeba #5699980 by albrusgher, translation #4264738 by alcalino
- Ella posó su cabeza sobre mi pecho para escuchar el latido de mi corazón.She laid her head on my chest so she could listen to my heartbeat.This sentence uses latido to describe listening to a heartbeat.Tatoeba #1947351 by marcelostockle, translation #1435854 by caspian
- Sus latidos del corazón se aceleraron cuando vio a su ser querido.Her heartbeats sped up when she saw her loved one.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are checking a baby's health during an ultrasound.
- Elena¡Mira, Mateo! Ya se escucha el latido.Look, Mateo! The heartbeat can be heard now.
- MateoEs increíble, suena muy fuerte.It's incredible, it sounds very strong.
- ElenaSí, el latido es muy rápido.Yes, the heartbeat is very fast.
- MateoMe hace muy feliz escucharlo.It makes me very happy to hear it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “heartbeat” translations and entries latido, 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 cardíaco, corazón, del, latido, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
