tétanos
/ˈtetanos/masculine
The Spanish word for tetanus is tétanos.
tétanos is a masculine noun used to refer to the disease.
Meaning: disease (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun is masculine and is used with the definite article el, forming the phrase el tétanos.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtetanos/
Did you know?
- In some rural Spanish-speaking regions, the disease was historically referred to using folk terms involving 'clavo' because of the common association with rusty nails.
- Spanish has a specific term for the muscle stiffness caused by tétanos called trismo, which refers specifically to the locking of the jaw.
- The word tétanos shares its roots with the Greek word for 'stretched' or 'stiffened', describing the physical state of the muscles during the disease.
Examples in context
- El botulismo, la brucelosis, la enfermedad de Lyme y el tétanos son enfermedades infecciosas, pero no contagiosas.Botulism, brucellosis, Lyme-disease and tetanus are infectious, but not contagious diseases.This sentence is useful for listing tétanos among other infectious, non-contagious diseases.Tatoeba #644925 by Shishir, translation #637805 by Muelisto
- El paciente contrajo el tétanos después de lastimarse con un objeto oxidado.The patient contracted tetanus after injuring themselves with a rusty object.
- Para prevenir el tétanos, es esencial mantener las vacunas al día.To prevent tetanus, it is essential to keep up-to-date with vaccinations.
- El médico aplicó un tratamiento efectivo para controlar el tétanos.The doctor administered an effective treatment to manage the tetanus.
- Recuerda vacunarte contra el tétano, es importante.Remember to get vaccinated against tetanus, it's important.
- El tétanos puede ser una enfermedad muy grave.Tetanus can be a very serious disease.
- Debes vacunarte para prevenir el tétanos.You must get vaccinated to prevent tetanus.
Example conversation
Sofía and Daniel are discussing medical precautions at a clinic.
- Sofía¿Es peligroso el tétanos?Is tetanus dangerous?
- DanielSí, el tétanos es una enfermedad seria.Yes, tetanus is a serious disease.
- SofíaEntiendo, voy a revisar mi vacuna.I understand, I am going to check my vaccine.
- DanielEs lo mejor que puedes hacer, Sofía.That is the best thing you can do, Sofía.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tetanus” translations and entries tétanos, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tétanos, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
