baja médica
/ˌbaxa ˈmedika/
The English phrase "medical leave" is translated into Spanish as baja médica.
baja médica refers to a period of time away from work granted to an employee because of an illness or injury. To state that someone is currently on medical leave, use the verbal phrase estar de baja.
What does it mean word for word?
The term baja médica consists of baja, which literally means "drop" or "reduction", but in this context, it refers to a reduction in work activity or being "off" work.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, baja médica is frequently used to refer to medical leave. In Latin America, licencia médica is a common term for medical leave.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb dar (to give) is commonly used to describe the act of a doctor or authority granting the leave in the phrase dar la baja.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌbaxa ˈmedika/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the expression dar la baja can be used both for a doctor granting medical leave and for a customer cancelling a subscription or membership service.
- In Spain, the term baja is also used in military contexts to describe a casualty or a soldier who is no longer fit for duty. This reflects the phrase's core meaning of a 'reduction' in the number of active personnel.
- The word baja is a deverbal noun derived from the verb bajar, which means 'to lower' or 'to go down'.
Examples in context
- Quisiera solicitar un permiso médico.I would like to request a medical leave.
- Necesito ausentarme del trabajo por motivos de salud.I need to be absent from work due to health reasons.
- Voy a tomarme unos días por enfermedad.I'm going to take a few days off due to illness.
- Necesito pedir una baja médica.I need to request medical leave.
- Él está de baja médica por un accidente.He is on medical leave due to an accident.
- La baja médica dura dos semanas.The medical leave lasts two weeks.
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are talking at the office about a colleague.
- Elena¿Sabes por qué no vino Juan?Do you know why Juan didn't come in?
- MateoSí, tiene una baja médica.Yes, he has medical leave.
- ElenaQué mal, espero que se recupere pronto.That's too bad, I hope he recovers soon.
- MateoYo también, es un buen compañero.Me too, he is a good colleague.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry baja médica, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries baja, CC BY-SA 4.0.
