Which one should you use?
While ella está embarazada is the standard way to express this, you may also encounter está esperando un bebé, which is a common, slightly more indirect way to say 'she is pregnant'. For a more formal or literary way to say 'she is pregnant', the phrase está encinta can be used.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, people might use the phrase Ella tiene un bebé en camino. to say she has a baby on the way.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb está (a form of estar) is used because pregnancy is considered a state or condition rather than an inherent characteristic. Additionally, the adjective embarazada must agree in gender with the subject, so if referring to a man (in a metaphorical or incorrect sense) or a female, the ending changes, but for 'she', it must end in -a.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use embarazada to mean "embarrassed", but in Spanish, embarazada only means "pregnant".
Did you know?
- In traditional folk medicine in parts of Latin America, some believe that 'cravings' during pregnancy are called antojos, and failing to satisfy them might leave a permanent mark on the baby's skin.
- In some Caribbean regions, people might use the colloquialism está cargada to refer to a pregnant woman. This can be quite informal and is not used in polite or medical conversation.
- The word encinta is a highly formal or poetic term for being pregnant. It originates from the idea of wearing a sash or ribbon, which was a historical symbol of certain states of being.
Examples in context
- Queremos anunciar formalmente que ella está embarazada. Estamos muy felices con la noticia.We want to formally announce that she is pregnant. We are thrilled with the news.
- ¡Chicos, chicas! ¡Tengo noticias! ¡Ella está embarazada! Vamos a ser tíos.Hey guys! I have news! She is pregnant! We are going to be aunt and uncle.
- Querida familia, les queremos contar que ella tiene un bebé en camino. Estamos muy emocionados.Dear family, we want to let you know that she has a baby on the way. We are very excited.
- Dijo que ella está embarazada.She said that she is pregnant.
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are talking about a mutual friend.
- JavierMira a María, se ve diferente.Look at Maria, she looks different.
- ElenaSí, ella está embarazada.Yes, she is pregnant.
- Javier¿En serio? ¡Qué buena noticia!Really? What great news!
- ElenaSí, lo confirmó ayer.Yes, she confirmed it yesterday.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
