rodillera
/rodiʝeɾa/from spelling rules
The Spanish word for knee brace is rodillera.
A rodillera is a supportive device worn around the knee to protect the joint or help it heal from an injury. If you are referring specifically to a soft, fabric-based compression sleeve rather than a rigid brace, you can use the phrase rodillera de compresión.
Which one should you use?
While rodillera is the standard term, férula para la rodilla is the formal way to say 'knee brace' in Spanish. In Mexico, the phrase soporte para la rodilla may be used to mean 'knee support'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word is a feminine noun, so you use the feminine article una when referring to a single brace (una rodillera). The plural form is rodilleras.
How do you pronounce it?
/rodiʝeɾa/
Did you know?
- The word rodillera shares a distant ancestor with the English word 'wheel'. This connection comes through the Latin word 'rota', meaning 'wheel'.
- While rodillera refers to a medical brace, the same word is used for the protective knee pads worn by volleyball players, skaters and firefighters.
- The root word rodilla is used in the idiom caer de rodillas, meaning both to physically kneel and to be completely defeated or humbled.
Examples in context
- ¿Dónde puedo conseguir una buena rodillera para el dolor en la pierna?Where can I get a good knee brace for leg pain?
- Necesito una rodillera nueva para correr.I need a new knee brace for running.
- La rodillera me ayuda con el dolor.The knee brace helps me with the pain.
- ¿Dónde puedo comprar una rodillera deportiva?Where can I buy a sports knee brace?
Example conversation
Lucía is helping Daniel prepare for his gym workout.
- Lucía¿Te duele la rodilla hoy, Daniel?Does your knee hurt today, Daniel?
- DanielSí, un poco. Voy a usar mi rodillera.Yes, a little. I am going to use my knee brace.
- LucíaEs mejor para proteger la articulación.It is better for protecting the joint.
- DanielTienes razón, me siento más seguro así.You are right, I feel safer this way.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries rodillera, CC BY-SA 4.0.
