rótula
/rotula/from spelling rules
The English phrase "knee cap" is translated into Spanish as rótula.
rótula refers to the small bone that protects the front of the knee joint.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin America, particularly in Mexico and Argentina, rótula is the most common term used.
How do you pronounce it?
/rotula/
Did you know?
- Because rótula is derived from 'wheel', it is also the Spanish term used for the 'ball joint' in mechanical engineering and automotive parts.
- While rótula is the anatomical standard, many Spanish speakers colloquially refer to this area simply as 'la tapita de la rodilla', literally 'the little lid of the knee'.
- The word rótula shares its roots with the English word 'roll', stemming from the Latin 'rotula' meaning 'a little wheel'.
Examples in context
- El médico examinó cuidadosamente la rótula de la rodilla lesionada.The doctor carefully examined the injured knee cap.
- Es posible que debas realizar una resonancia magnética de la rótula.You might need to have an MRI of the knee cap.
- Ayer me golpeé la rodilla y ahora me duele la rótula.Yesterday, I bumped my knee and now my knee cap hurts.
- Me duele la rótula de la pierna derecha.My right knee cap hurts.
- El médico examinó mi rótula.The doctor examined my knee cap.
- La rótula es un hueso muy importante.The knee cap is a very important bone.
Example conversation
Sofía is telling Alejandro about her sports injury.
- SofíaMe lesioné la rótula jugando fútbol.I injured my knee cap playing soccer.
- AlejandroEso suena muy doloroso, Sofía.That sounds very painful, Sofía.
- SofíaSí, no puedo doblar bien la rótula.Yes, I can't bend my knee cap well.
- AlejandroDeberías ir al médico ahora mismo.You should go to the doctor right now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries rótula, CC BY-SA 4.0.
