ernia del disco
The English phrase 'slipped disc' is translated into Italian as ernia del disco.
ernia del disco refers to a protruding vertebral disc. While English speakers often use the colloquialism 'slipped disc', ernia del disco serves as both the standard medical term and the common term used in Italian.
Meaning: protruding vertebral disc (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of ernia (hernia), del (of the) and disco (disc).
Did you know?
- The word disco is a doublet of the Italian word desco, which means 'table'. Both evolved from the same Latin root discus.
- In Italian medical culture, patients often refer to the 'symptoms' of the ernia del disco as sciatica even if the disc is not the primary cause of the nerve pain.
- Because ernia refers to a protrusion, Italians use the same root word for an umbilical hernia as they do for a slipped disc.
Examples in context
- Mi sono fatto male alla schiena. Pensi che possa essere un'ernia del disco?I hurt my back. Do you think it could be a slipped disc?
- Il dottore ha diagnosticato un'ernia del disco.The doctor diagnosed a slipped disc.
- Soffro di un'ernia del disco alla schiena.I suffer from a slipped disc in my back.
- L'ernia del disco causa molto dolore.The slipped disc causes a lot of pain.
Example conversation
Francesco tells Martina why he cannot help her move furniture.
- FrancescoNon posso aiutarti a spostare il tavolo.I can't help you move the table.
- MartinaPerché, Francesco? Cosa succede?Why, Francesco? What's happening?
- FrancescoPurtroppo ho scoperto di avere un'ernia del disco.Unfortunately, I found out I have a slipped disc.
- MartinaMi dispiace molto, riposati pure.I'm very sorry, please go rest.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “slipped disc” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries del, disco, ernia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
