paciente psiquiátrico
/paθjente bsikjatɾiko/from spelling rules
The English phrase "mental patient" can be translated into Spanish as paciente psiquiátrico.
The term is used to describe a person receiving medical treatment for a mental illness.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase paciente psiquiátrico literally translates to "psychiatric patient".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In clinical or respectful contexts, it is more sensitive and polite to use the person-first alternative persona con un trastorno mental (person with a mental disorder) rather than paciente psiquiátrico.
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer specifically to a female mental patient, change the ending of the adjective to the feminine form to say paciente psiquiátrica.
How do you pronounce it?
/paθjente bsikjatɾiko/
Did you know?
- While English uses 'mental' as a neutral clinical descriptor, using mental to describe a person in Spanish is often perceived as a highly offensive slang insult.
- The Spanish word paciente is etymologically linked to the word 'passion' through their shared Latin root meaning 'to suffer'.
- In casual Spanish, people often use the word loco as a friendly or affectionate term among close friends, similar to how 'crazy' is used in English, though it is avoided in any medical context involving a paciente psiquiátrico.
Examples in context
- Trataremos a los pacientes mentales con respeto y compasión.We will treat mental patients with respect and compassion.
- No deberíamos juzgar a los enfermos mentales por su condición.We should not judge mentally ill individuals based on their condition.
- El paciente psiquiátrico necesita descansar mucho.The mental patient needs a lot of rest.
- Había un paciente psiquiátrico en la sala de espera.There was a mental patient in the waiting room.
- El médico está revisando al paciente psiquiátrico.The doctor is checking the mental patient.
Example conversation
Sofía and Alejandro are talking about their work at a clinic.
- SofíaAlejandro, ¿ya llegó el nuevo paciente psiquiátrico?Alejandro, has the new mental patient arrived yet?
- AlejandroSí, Sofía, acaba de entrar por la puerta.Yes, Sofía, he just came through the door.
- Sofía¿Necesita algún medicamento ahora mismo?Does he need any medication right now?
- AlejandroNo, el doctor lo revisará en un momento.No, the doctor will check on him in a moment.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
