hinchazón
/int͡ʃaˈθon/feminine
The Spanish word for swelling is hinchazón.
hinchazón refers to the physical volume or swelling. While 'hinchazón' refers to the physical volume or swelling, inflamación is often used in medical contexts to refer to the biological process of inflammation.
Meaning: anything swollen (noun)
Which one should you use?
For more specific contexts, you might use inflamación to describe inflammation or the formal medical term edema specifically for swelling caused by fluid retention. The formal term tumefacción can also be used to mean swelling.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin America, the colloquial term chichón is used for a swelling or bump caused by a blow. In Mexico, the informal term chichote is used for a swelling or bump resulting from an injury or impact.
How does it change in a sentence?
hinchazón is a feminine noun. This means that any adjectives used to describe it must also be in the feminine form, such as la hinchazón constante.
How do you pronounce it?
/intʃaˈθon/
Did you know?
- The noun hinchazón is a doublet of the word inflación, meaning they both share the same Latin ancestor despite looking different.
- The Spanish language uses the verb hincharse to describe the way a river overflows its banks during a flood.
- In Spanish, the word hinchado can be used figuratively to describe someone who is arrogant or 'full of themselves', similar to the English 'swollen head'.
Examples in context
- ¿Has tenido recientemente una hinchazón inexplicable en los brazos o las piernas durante los períodos de inactividad?Have you recently had unexplained swelling of your arms or legs during periods of inactivity?This sentence is useful for asking about the presence of the hinchazón in limbs during inactivity.Tatoeba #10111240 by manufrutos, translation #9851382 by NurseMeeks
- ¿Cuánto tiempo tardará en irse la hinchazón?How many days will it take until the swelling goes down?This sentence is useful for asking about the duration of the hinchazón.Tatoeba #3255187 by alicanto, translation #34985 by CK
- La hinchazón en el tobillo necesita atención médicaThe swelling in the ankle needs medical attention
- El paciente sufre de edema en las piernasThe patient suffers from edema in the legs
- La tumefacción en su brazo requiere atención inmediataThe swelling in his arm requires immediate attention
- La inflamación en el área afectada es evidenteThe swelling in the affected area is evident
- Se golpeó la cabeza y le salió un chichónHe hit his head and got a swelling/bump
- El jugador de fútbol tiene un chichote en la rodillaThe soccer player has a swelling/bump on his knee
- La hinchazón en mi tobillo es muy dolorosa.The swelling in my ankle is very painful.
Example conversation
Alejandro is showing María his injured ankle.
- AlejandroMira mi tobillo, tiene mucha hinchazón.Look at my ankle, it has a lot of swelling.
- MaríaDeberías ponerte un poco de hielo, Alejandro.You should put some ice on it, Alejandro.
- Alejandro¿Crees que la hinchazón bajará pronto?Do you think the swelling will go down soon?
- MaríaSí, pero mejor ve al médico.Yes, but it's better to go to the doctor.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “swelling” translations and entries hinchazón, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hinchazón, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
