tablillas
/tabliʝas/from spelling rules
The English phrase "splints" is translated into Spanish as tablillas.
The term refers to rigid devices used to keep a broken bone or injured joint from moving.
What does it mean word for word?
The word tablillas is the diminutive form of tabla (board), so it literally means "little boards".
Which one should you use?
In a medical or clinical context, the term férulas is often used instead of tablillas.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form is tablilla.
How do you pronounce it?
/tabliʝas/
Did you know?
- In historical Spanish texts, tablillas also referred to small wax tablets used for writing before the widespread use of paper.
- The word férula is also used in botany to describe a genus of plants in the carrot family, such as giant fennel.
- The diminutive suffix -illa in tablillas does not always mean the object is small, but can be used to soften the tone of a medical diagnosis.
Examples in context
- El paciente necesita una férula en la pierna.The patient needs a splint on their leg.
- El médico procedió al entablillado del brazo del paciente después de la fractura.The doctor proceeded to splint the patient's arm after the fracture.
- El futbolista se lastimó el dedo y le pusieron una tablilla.The soccer player injured his finger and they put a splint on it.
- No teníamos una férula adecuada, así que improvisamos un tablero para inmovilizar su muñeca.We didn't have a proper splint, so we improvised a board to immobilize their wrist.
- Necesitamos unas tablillas para el brazo.We need some splints for the arm.
- El médico colocó las tablillas con cuidado.The doctor placed the splints carefully.
- Las tablillas ayudan a mantener la pierna quieta.The splints help keep the leg still.
Example conversation
At a first aid station after a hiking accident.
- Sofía¿Tienes tablillas en el botiquín, Alejandro?Do you have splints in the first aid kit, Alejandro?
- AlejandroSí, Sofía, las tengo aquí mismo.Yes, Sofía, I have them right here.
- SofíaPerfecto, hay que inmovilizar su tobillo.Perfect, we need to immobilize his ankle.
- AlejandroUsaré las tablillas de inmediato.I will use the splints immediately.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
