espasmo muscular
/espasmo muskulaɾ/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'muscle spasm' is translated into Spanish as espasmo muscular.
The phrase refers to a sudden, involuntary contraction of one or more muscles.
Which one should you use?
While espasmo muscular is a standard way to describe the condition, you may also encounter calambre muscular to refer to a muscle cramp or spasm and the more descriptive contracción muscular involuntaria to specify an involuntary muscle contraction.
How does it change in a sentence?
To form the plural, both the noun and the adjective must be pluralized: espasmos musculares.
How do you pronounce it?
/espasmo muskulaɾ/
Did you know?
- The word muscular in Spanish shares the same root as the English 'muscle', both originating from the Latin 'musculus', which literally means 'little mouse'.
- The Spanish word calambre is used for both a muscle spasm and an electric shock.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, a muscle spasm in the eyelid is described as saltar el ojo, which literally means the eye is 'jumping'.
Examples in context
- El paciente experimentó un espasmo muscular en la espaldaThe patient experienced a muscle spasm in their back
- El deportista sufrió un calambre muscular en la piernaThe athlete suffered a muscle spasm in their leg
- Ayer tuve un espasmo muscular en el cuelloYesterday, I had a muscle spasm in my neck
- Después de hacer ejercicio, a veces tengo pequeños tirones muscularesAfter exercising, I sometimes get small muscle spasms
- Tengo un espasmo muscular en el hombroI have a muscle spasm in my shoulder
- Sufro espasmos musculares fuertes en la espaldaI experience strong muscle spasms in my back
- Tengo un espasmo muscular en la pierna.I have a muscle spasm in my leg.
- Siento un espasmo muscular en la pierna.I feel a muscle spasm in my leg.
- El espasmo muscular es muy doloroso.The muscle spasm is very painful.
- Tengo un espasmo muscular en la espalda.I have a muscle spasm in my back.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are at the gym.
- AlejandroSofía, creo que tengo un espasmo muscular.Sofía, I think I have a muscle spasm.
- SofíaAy, ¿en qué parte del cuerpo?Oh, in what part of your body?
- AlejandroSiento el espasmo muscular en la pantorrilla.I feel the muscle spasm in my calf.
- SofíaDebes estirar el músculo con cuidado.You should stretch the muscle carefully.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries espasmo, muscular, CC BY-SA 4.0.
