What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "the rule came to me", where la regla (the rule) is a common way to refer to a menstrual period.
Which one should you use?
While me vino la regla is a standard way to express this, you might also hear me bajó la regla, which literally means "the rule descended to me" or the more clinical Me ha venido la menstruación.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Me vino la regla is a common way to communicate this in casual and semi-formal settings. For more formal or clinical contexts, you can use Me ha venido la menstruación or tengo la menstruación, which more directly means "I am menstruating". Conversely, Me ha bajado la regla is an informal way to say "My period has come down."
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, Me ha venido la regla is commonly used. In Argentina, the expressions Me vino la menstruación or Me ha venido la menstruación are common.
Did you know?
- While la regla is common, some regions use the word la luna (the moon) as a poetic or discreet way to refer to the menstrual cycle.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, people use euphemisms like estoy en mis días (I am in my days) to avoid saying the word regla or menstruación directly in polite company.
- The word regla in this phrase shares the same Proto-Indo-European root as the English word 'rule', meaning both terms stem from the concept of a straight line or a standard to be followed.
Examples in context
- Me vino la regla hoy.I got my period today.
- No puedo ir a la piscina porque me vino la regla.I can't go to the pool because I got my period.
Example conversation
Elena is explaining to Mateo why she is feeling unwell at home.
- ElenaNo me siento muy bien, Mateo.I don't feel very well, Mateo.
- Mateo¿Te duele algo?Does something hurt?
- ElenaSí, es que me vino la regla.Yes, it's just that I got my period.
- MateoLo siento, Elena. ¿Quieres descansar?I'm sorry, Elena. Do you want to rest?
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries la, me, regla, vino, CC BY-SA 4.0.
