hipocondríaco
/ipokonˈdɾiako/masculine
The English word 'hypochondriac' is hipocondríaco in Spanish. It is also spelled hipocondriaco.
Meaning: person affected with hypochondria (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| hipocondríaco | /ipokonˈdɾiako/ | masculine |
| hipocondriaco | /ipokonˈdɾjako/ | masculine, alternative form |
hipocondríaco is used to describe a person affected with hypochondria or to describe someone who is affected by the condition.
Which one should you use?
Note the distinction between hipocondríaco and hipocóndrico. The former refers to the psychological condition or a person suffering from it, while hipocóndrico refers specifically to the anatomical region known as the hypochondrium.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun and adjective change based on gender: use hipocondríaco/a for a person or condition, where the feminine form is hipocondríaca.
How do you pronounce it?
/ipokonˈdɾiako/
Did you know?
- The Greek root khóndros, found in hipocondríaco, originally referred to 'cartilage', reflecting an ancient belief that the area under the ribs was the seat of melancholy.
- While hipocondríaco is the technical term, Spanish speakers frequently use the verb somatizar to describe the process of turning emotional distress into physical pain.
- In Spanish, the word hipocondríaco is considered a cultismo, meaning it entered the language as a learned term from Latin or Greek rather than evolving naturally from spoken Vulgar Latin.
Examples in context
- Tomás es hipocondríaco.Tom is a hypochondriac.This sentence is useful for saying that Tom is a hipocondríaco.Tatoeba #5050755 by don_ramon, translation #2957007 by CK
- Mi hermano es un hipocondríaco.My brother is a hypochondriac.
- No seas tan hipocondríaco, estás sano.Don't be such a hypochondriac, you are healthy.
Example conversation
Daniel is worrying about a small spot on his arm.
- DanielElena, creo que tengo una enfermedad rara.Elena, I think I have a rare disease.
- ElenaDaniel, solo es una picadura de mosquito.Daniel, it is just a mosquito bite.
- DanielPero se siente muy extraño.But it feels very strange.
- ElenaEres un hipocondríaco, ve a descansar.You are a hypochondriac, go get some rest.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hypochondriac” translations and entries hipocondríaco, hipocondriaco, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hipocondríaco, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
