Which one should you use?
While compresas is the standard term in Spain, in many Latin American countries, the term toallas sanitarias is more commonly used.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The terms toallas sanitarias and compresas higiénicas are both formal ways to refer to menstrual pads in Spanish.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In many Latin American countries, toallas sanitarias is more commonly used than compresas. In Spain, compresas is the standard term.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun compresa is feminine, so if you are referring to a single pad, you use the indefinite article una as in una compresa.
How do you pronounce it?
/kompɾesas/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be careful not to use the word toallas on its own to mean menstrual pads, as toallas means towels. In the context of feminine hygiene in much of the Americas, the full phrase toallas sanitarias is the standard.
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, the concept of menstruation is referred to using the euphemism la regla, which literally translates to 'the rule'.
- While compresas is the standard term in Spain, using it in parts of the Americas might lead to confusion, as it can also refer to medical dressings used for wounds.
- While toallas sanitarias is common in the Americas, some regions use the term toallitas, which can also refer to baby wipes or wet wipes.
Examples in context
- Me gustaría comprar toallas sanitarias en la farmacia.I would like to buy menstrual pads at the pharmacy.
- ¿Dónde puedo encontrar compresas higiénicas en este supermercado?Where can I find menstrual pads in this supermarket?
- ¿Tienes toallitas femeninas que me puedas prestar?Do you have any menstrual pads you can lend me?
- Voy a comprar toallas femeninas en la farmacia.I am going to buy menstrual pads at the pharmacy.
- Necesito comprar compresas.I need to buy pads.
- Necesito comprar compresas en la farmacia.I need to buy menstrual pads at the pharmacy.
- ¿Tienes compresas en tu bolso?Do you have menstrual pads in your bag?
- Las compresas son más cómodas que los tampones.Menstrual pads are more comfortable than tampons.
Example conversation
Lucía is at the supermarket and asks Mateo to help her.
- LucíaMateo, ¿puedes buscar compresas en el pasillo de higiene?Mateo, can you look for menstrual pads in the hygiene aisle?
- MateoSí, claro. ¿Buscas una marca específica?Yes, of course. Are you looking for a specific brand?
- LucíaNo, con cualquier tipo de compresas está bien.No, any kind of menstrual pads is fine.
- MateoEntendido, las buscaré ahora mismo.Understood, I will look for them right now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
