llagas
/ʝaɡas/from spelling rules
The English word 'sores' is translated into Spanish as llagas.
The term refers to painful, open lesions or ulcers located on the skin or a mucous membrane. In many Spanish-speaking regions, llagas is the term used for mouth ulcers (canker sores).
Which one should you use?
While llagas refers to the physical lesions, you may encounter úlcera or its plural úlceras when a more medical or formal tone is required.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of the noun is llaga.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʝaɡas/
Did you know?
- The word llaga can be used metaphorically to describe an emotional wound or a sensitive subject that causes psychological pain when mentioned.
- In religious contexts, las llagas often refers specifically to the five holy wounds suffered by Jesus during the crucifixion.
- While llaga describes the sore itself, Spanish uses the verb llagar to describe the process of becoming ulcerated or wounded.
Examples in context
- El paciente presenta úlceras en la piel.The patient has sores on the skin.
- Las llagas deben ser tratadas con cuidado.The sores should be treated with care.
- ¡No toques mis pupas, me duelen!Don't touch my sores, they hurt!
- Tiene llagas en la boca.He/she has sores in the mouth.
- Las llagas en la boca son muy dolorosas.The sores in the mouth are very painful.
- Tengo unas llagas en los pies por los zapatos.I have some sores on my feet from the shoes.
- Esas llagas tardan mucho en cicatrizar.Those sores take a long time to heal.
Example conversation
Javier and María are talking about a cold sore.
- JavierMaría, tengo unas llagas en el labio.María, I have some sores on my lip.
- MaríaParecen llagas por el frío, Javier.They look like cold sores, Javier.
- JavierMe duelen mucho al comer.They hurt a lot when I eat.
- MaríaUsa esta crema para las llagas.Use this cream for the sores.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
