tobillo torcido
/tobiʝo toɾθido/from spelling rules
To say 'sprained ankle' in Spanish, use tobillo torcido.
The phrase is used to describe an injury caused by twisting the ankle joint, which damages the ligaments. You can also use the noun esguince on its own to refer to a sprain generally.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase tobillo torcido is literally a 'twisted ankle'.
Which one should you use?
While tobillo torcido describes the state of the ankle, the term esguince de tobillo is the specific medical term for the injury itself.
How do you pronounce it?
/tobiʝo toɾθido/
Did you know?
- The word torcido shares its roots with the English word 'torture', as both stem from the concept of twisting or turning.
- The verb torcerse can be used figuratively in Spanish to describe a plan or situation that has 'gone wrong' or 'twisted' away from the intended path.
- The word tobillo comes from a Latin word for a 'bump' or 'swelling', which refers to the visible protrusion of the ankle bone.
Examples in context
- Tengo un esguince leve en el tobilloI have a mild sprain in my ankle
- Tengo un esguince grave en el tobilloI have a severe sprain in my ankle
- El doctor dice que tengo un tobillo torcido y que debo hacer reposo.The doctor says I have a sprained ankle and need to rest.
- Tengo el tobillo torcido.I have a sprained ankle.
- Parece que tienes el tobillo torcido.It looks like you have a sprained ankle.
- No puedo caminar por el tobillo torcido.I cannot walk because of the sprained ankle.
Example conversation
Javier is helping Lucía at home after she tripped.
- LucíaMe duele mucho el pie.My foot hurts a lot.
- JavierCreo que tienes el tobillo torcido, Lucía.I think you have a sprained ankle, Lucía.
- Lucía¿De verdad es tan grave?Is it really that serious?
- JavierNecesitas descansar un poco.You need to rest a bit.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tobillo, torcido, CC BY-SA 4.0.
