Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| derrame cerebral | /deˌrame θeɾeˈbɾal/ /deˌrame seɾeˈbɾal/ |
masculine |
| accidente cerebrovascular (ACV) | masculine | |
| derrame | /deˈrame/ | masculine |
| stroke | /stɾoke/ (from spelling rules) | US, masculine |
| ataque cerebrovascular | /atake θeɾebɾobaskulaɾ/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /atake seɾebɾobaskulaɾ/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
masculine |
The term refers to the loss of brain function arising when the blood supply to the brain is suddenly interrupted.
What does it mean word for word?
The word derrame literally means a spill or an outflow, referring to the blood leaking or flowing into the brain.
Which one should you use?
Accidente cerebrovascular (often abbreviated as ACV) and ataque cerebrovascular are other ways to name the condition. Ataque cerebral means brain attack and is used for stroke. Other specific terms include infarto cerebral (cerebral infarction) and apoplejía.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Accidente cerebrovascular is a formal term for stroke and is the formal medical term used by doctors and in clinical settings. ACV is the common medical abbreviation for accidente cerebrovascular used in healthcare contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, stroke is commonly referred to as ataque cerebral and derrame cerebral. In Spain, ictus is sometimes used as an alternative for stroke.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
In Spanish, you use the verb tener (to have) to say someone suffered a stroke, rather than the English construction 'to suffer a stroke'.
How do you pronounce it?
/deˌrame θeɾeˈbɾal/
Did you know?
- The term ictus used in Spain is a direct loan from Latin, where it originally meant 'a blow' or 'a hit'.
- While derrame means 'spill' in a medical context, it is also the word used for a liquid spill on the floor or a leak in a pipe.
- The term apoplejía shares a root with the Greek word for 'striking down', reinforcing the idea of a sudden, violent medical event.
Examples in context
- Le dio un derrame cerebral.He had a stroke.This sentence is useful for saying someone had a stroke using the form derrame.Tatoeba #2266302 by cueyayotl, translation #2266301 by _undertoad
- Mi abuela tuvo un derrame cerebral.My grandmother had a stroke.Tatoeba #12969446 by mexicanhere, translation #2580750 by Hybrid
- ¿Escuchaste que Roberto tuvo un derrame?Did you hear that Roberto had a stroke?
- ¿Es un ataque cerebral?Is it a stroke?
- El médico habló sobre el derrame cerebral.The doctor spoke about the stroke.
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are talking at a hospital.
- Mateo¿Cómo está tu tío después del derrame cerebral?How is your uncle after the stroke?
- ElenaÉl está estable, pero sigue en observación.He is stable, but he is still under observation.
- MateoEspero que se recupere pronto de su derrame cerebral.I hope he recovers soon from his stroke.
- ElenaGracias, Mateo, valoramos mucho tu apoyo.Thank you, Mateo, we really appreciate your support.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stroke” translations and entries derrame cerebral, derrame, stroke, ataque cerebrovascular, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
