tengo la regla
/tenɡo la ɾeɡla/from spelling rules
To say "I am on my period" in Spanish, use tengo la regla.
These phrases are used by a woman to communicate that she is currently experiencing her monthly menstrual period.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, tengo la regla translates to "I have the rule".
Which one should you use?
You might use me bajó la regla to specifically mean that your period has started (my period came).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Estoy menstruando is a formal or clinical way to say "I am menstruating". For more casual settings, Estoy en mis días (I am on my days) or Estoy en mi regla (I am on my period) are informal options. In a very casual or colloquial context, you can say me bajó la regla to indicate your period has started.
How does it change in a sentence?
Note that when using the standard phrase tengo la regla, Spanish uses the verb tener (to have) instead of estar (to be) to express being on one's period.
How do you pronounce it?
/tenɡo la ɾeɡla/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, people use the phrase estoy con la luna to describe being on their period. This connects the menstrual cycle to the phases of the moon.
- In very informal slang, some people refer to the period as la visita. This treats the menstrual cycle as an unwelcome monthly guest.
- The word regla shares the same Proto-Indo-European root as the English word 'rule', specifically the root *h₃reǵ- which relates to straight lines or directing.
Examples in context
- Chicas, no puedo ir a la playa hoy, estoy en mis días.Girls, I can't go to the beach today, I'm on my period.
- No puedo ir a la piscina porque tengo la regla.I cannot go to the pool because I am on my period.
- Me duele mucho el vientre, tengo la regla.My abdomen hurts a lot, I am on my period.
- Hoy no me siento bien, tengo la regla.I don't feel well today, I am on my period.
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are planning a weekend trip to the beach.
- LucíaAlejandro, no quiero ir a la playa este fin de semana.Alejandro, I don't want to go to the beach this weekend.
- Alejandro¿Por qué? ¿Te pasa algo?Why? Is something wrong?
- LucíaEs que tengo la regla y me siento mal.It's just that I am on my period and I feel bad.
- AlejandroEntiendo, no te preocupes, nos quedamos en casa.I understand, don't worry, we will stay at home.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries la, regla, CC BY-SA 4.0.
