Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| latigazo cervical | /latiɡaθo θeɾbikal/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /latiɡaso seɾbikal/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
masculine |
| traumatismo cervical | /tɾaumatismo θeɾbikal/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /tɾaumatismo seɾbikal/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
masculine |
What does it mean word for word?
The word latigazo literally refers to the strike or crack of a whip.
Which one should you use?
Latigazo cervical is a common and descriptive term for whiplash. In contrast, traumatismo cervical is used as a more clinical or medical term for a neck injury.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Latigazo cervical is a formal term for whiplash. If you need to emphasize the medical nature of the condition, you can use Lesión de latigazo cervical. For a purely descriptive formal phrase, you may use Estiramiento brusco del cuello. For healthcare professionals, traumatismo cervical is the formal medical term for a neck trauma or injury.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, latigazo cervical is a commonly used term. In Argentina, the phrase Látigo cervical is commonly used to express the same concept.
How does it change in a sentence?
Latigazo cervical is a masculine noun phrase. It does not change its form when used to describe a type of injury, such as in the phrase lesión por latigazo cervical.
How do you pronounce it?
/latiɡaθo θeɾbikal/
Did you know?
- The word latigazo can be used far beyond medical contexts to describe any sudden, violent movement or a sharp increase, such as a 'spike' in prices.
- The suffix -azo in latigazo is used in Spanish to denote a hard blow or a strong hit. It can be added to many nouns to create words describing a strike with that object, such as portazo for a door slam.
- The word cervical comes from the Latin cervix, meaning the nape of the neck. This same root is used in English medical terms to describe both the neck and the cervix of the uterus.
Examples in context
- La paciente sufrió un latigazo cervical en el accidente automovilístico.The patient suffered whiplash in the car accident.
- Después del choque, tuvo un golpe de latigazo en el cuello.After the crash, she had whiplash in her neck.
- El tratamiento para el látigo cervical varía según el país.The treatment for whiplash varies depending on the country.
- El médico confirmó que es un latigazo cervical.The doctor confirmed that it is a whiplash injury.
- Siento mucho dolor por el latigazo cervical.I feel a lot of pain from the whiplash injury.
- Tengo que ir a la fisioterapia por mi latigazo cervical.I have to go to physiotherapy for my whiplash injury.
Example conversation
Maria and Mateo are talking about a recent car accident.
- MaríaMateo, ¿cómo te sientes después del choque?Mateo, how do you feel after the crash?
- MateoMe duele mucho el cuello, creo que es un latigazo cervical.My neck hurts a lot, I think it's whiplash.
- MaríaDeberías ir al médico ahora mismo.You should go to the doctor right now.
- MateoTienes razón, voy a pedir una cita.You're right, I'm going to make an appointment.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “whiplash” translations and entries latigazo cervical, 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.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cervical, latigazo, traumatismo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
