mi regla
/mi ɾeɡla/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'my period' is translated into Spanish as mi regla.
This phrase is used to refer to the monthly flow of blood from the uterus in women.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase mi regla literally translates to 'my rule' in English.
Which one should you use?
While mi regla is a common way to refer to the period, you can also use estoy con la regla to specifically say 'I am on my period'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin America, people often use the informal expressions Me vino or ha bajado to refer to menstruation. In Spain, the informal expressions Me viene or ha venido are used to convey the arrival of the period.
How do you pronounce it?
/mi ɾeɡla/
Did you know?
- The term regla is also a doublet of the Spanish word reja, which means 'grate' or 'grid', both descending from the same ancient linguistic roots.
- If you are in a very informal setting in Latin America, you might hear people use the word mes (month) to euphemistically refer to the time of the cycle.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the verb venir, meaning 'to come', is used to personify the period as a visitor that arrives or departs.
Examples in context
- Doctor, necesito hablar sobre mi ciclo menstrual.Doctor, I need to talk about my menstrual cycle.
- Doctor, tengo problemas relacionados con mi periodo.Doctor, I have problems related to my period.
- Amiga, estoy con la regla y me siento incómoda.Friend, I'm on my period and I feel uncomfortable.
- Chicos, no puedo unirme al partido hoy porque me vino.Guys, I can't join the game today because I got my period.
- Ya me bajó mi regla.My period has already started.
- No puedo ir a la piscina por mi regla.I can't go to the pool because of my period.
Example conversation
Elena is telling Javier why she feels unwell.
- ElenaNo me siento bien hoy.I don't feel well today.
- Javier¿Te sientes enferma, Elena?Are you feeling sick, Elena?
- ElenaEs que me llegó mi regla.It's just that my period started.
- JavierEntiendo, ¿quieres descansar?I understand, do you want to rest?
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mi, regla, CC BY-SA 4.0.
