entumecimiento y hormigueo
/entumeθimjento i oɾmiɡeo/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'numbness and tingling' is translated into Spanish as entumecimiento y hormigueo.
This phrase describes the physical sensation of loss of feeling combined with a prickling sensation in a part of the body. In a medical context, the word hormigueo is the standard term used to describe the sensation of 'pins and needles'.
Which one should you use?
You may encounter Adormecimiento y hormigueo in formal settings. If you need a single technical or medical term for numbness or tingling, you can use Parestesia.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both nouns in this phrase are masculine.
How do you pronounce it?
/entumeθimjento i oɾmiɡeo/
Did you know?
- The word hormigueo comes from hormiga, which means 'ant'. To a Spanish speaker, the sensation of 'pins and needles' feels like being crawled upon by ants.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, people describe the 'tingling' sensation as hormigas en los pies or 'ants in the feet' in casual conversation.
- While hormigueo describes the tingling, Spanish speakers often use the verb hormiguear to describe the feeling as an active process happening in the body.
Examples in context
- Doctor, estoy experimentando adormecimiento y hormigueo en mi pierna izquierda. ¿Qué podría estar causando estos síntomas?Doctor, I am experiencing numbness and tingling in my left leg. What could be causing these symptoms?
- Siento un entumecimiento y hormigueo en la mano.I feel numbness and tingling in my hand.
- ¿Siente usted entumecimiento y hormigueo en los dedos?Do you feel numbness and tingling in your fingers?
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are talking about a medical symptom.
- SofíaJavier, ¿cómo va tu brazo?Javier, how is your arm?
- JavierTodavía tengo entumecimiento y hormigueo.I still have numbness and tingling.
- SofíaDeberías ir al médico pronto.You should go to the doctor soon.
- JavierTienes razón, Sofía.You are right, Sofía.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries entumecimiento, hormigueo, y, CC BY-SA 4.0.
