unas convulsiones (epilépticas)
feminine, plural
The English phrase 'seizure' can be translated into Spanish using unas convulsiones (epilépticas). Wiktionary also lists unos espasmos (epilépticos) and ataque convulsivo/convulso/epiléptico.
Meaning: sudden attack or convulsion (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| unas convulsiones (epilépticas) | feminine, plural | |
| unos espasmos (epilépticos) | masculine, plural | |
| ataque convulsivo/convulso/epiléptico | masculine | |
| chiripiorca | /t͡ʃiɾipjoɾka/ (from spelling rules) | Latin America, feminine |
| chiripiolca | /t͡ʃiɾipjolka/ (from spelling rules) | Latin America, feminine |
In Spanish, the term used depends on whether you are describing the physical muscular contractions, the medical event itself or using a colloquialism. Use unas convulsiones (epilépticas) to refer specifically to the involuntary muscle contractions. Use ataque convulsivo to describe the medical episode or event. There are also slang terms used for a sudden fit.
Which one should you use?
unas convulsiones (epilépticas) focuses on the physical, involuntary muscle contractions (seizures/epileptic), whereas ataque convulsivo describes the entire medical event or episode (convulsive attack).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
chiripiorca and chiripiolca are highly colloquial and are often used jokingly or dismissively.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The terms chiripiorca and chiripiolca are specific to Latin America.
Did you know?
- The term chiripiorca is an onomatopoeic creation common in several Latin American countries, designed to sound whimsical or abrupt.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, people might say someone is having a ataque de nervios, a culturally specific syndrome that can involve seizure-like shaking but is distinct from epilepsy.
- While ataque is the standard word for an attack or medical episode, it shares a common linguistic ancestor with the English word 'attach' via the Old French term 'destachier'.
Examples in context
- El paciente sufrió una convulsión epileptiforme anoche.The patient had an epileptiform seizure last night.
- Lamentablemente, experimentó un ataque y cayó al suelo.Unfortunately, he had a seizure and fell to the ground.
- Durante el episodio, ella sufrió una crisis convulsiva.During the episode, she had a convulsive seizure.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “seizure” translations and entries chiripiorca, chiripiolca, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ataque, unas, unos, CC BY-SA 4.0.
