parestesia
/paɾestesja/from spelling rules
Paraesthesia is translated into Spanish as parestesia.
parestesia refers to an abnormal sensation of tingling or prickling of the skin. In a medical context, you may encounter specific terms such as parestesias transitorias for transient paraesthesia or parestesia diabética for diabetic paraesthesia. You can also use the formal phrase sensación anormal en el cuerpo to describe an abnormal sensation in the body.
Which one should you use?
In everyday, non-medical conversation, people often use the word hormigueo to describe the sensation of tingling instead of the clinical term.
How do you pronounce it?
/paɾestesja/
Did you know?
- The common word hormigueo comes from hormiga, meaning 'ant', implying the sensation feels like tiny ants crawling on your skin.
- The clinical term parestesia shares its Greek roots with the English word 'aesthetic', as both stem from the concept of sensation or perception.
- If you feel 'pins and needles' in your limbs, a Spanish speaker might describe it as pinchazos, which literally translates to 'little stabs'.
Examples in context
- ¿Ha experimentado parestesia recientemente?Have you experienced paraesthesia recently?
- Sí, he sentido hormigueo en mis manos y pies.Yes, I have felt tingling in my hands and feet.
- La parestesia puede ser causada por la presión.Paresthesia can be caused by pressure.
- El médico examinó mi parestesia en las piernas.The doctor examined my paresthesia in my legs.
Example conversation
Sofía is describing her symptoms to Javier, who is her doctor.
- SofíaSiento una parestesia extraña en el brazo.I feel a strange tingling in my arm.
- JavierDesde cuándo siente esa parestesia, Sofía?Since when have you felt that paraesthesia, Sofía?
- SofíaEmpezó ayer después de dormir mal.It started yesterday after sleeping poorly.
- JavierVamos a hacer unas pruebas para revisarlo.We are going to do some tests to check it.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries parestesia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
