muelas del juicio
/mwelas del xwiθjo/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'wisdom teeth' is translated into Spanish as muelas del juicio.
This phrase refers to the third molars located at the back of the mouth that typically appear during late adolescence or early adulthood. When talking about the dental procedure of removing them, the most common way to say 'to have wisdom teeth extracted' is sacar las muelas del juicio.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase muelas del juicio literally translates to 'molars of judgment'.
Which one should you use?
While muelas del juicio is the standard term, you may encounter cordales in medical contexts or when speaking with dentists, which serves as a synonym.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Muelas del juicio is the standard expression used in most Latin American countries. In parts of Central America and the Andes region, the term muelas cordales is used.
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to a single wisdom tooth, use the singular form la muela del juicio.
Did you know?
- Because juicio also means 'sanity', saying someone has 'lost their juicio' means they have gone mad, creating a linguistic link between the mind and these teeth.
- The word muela is used not only for teeth but also to describe a 'grindstone' used for milling grain.
- In Spanish, muelas specifically refers to molars, whereas the general word for 'tooth' is diente.
Examples in context
- Me están saliendo las muelas del juicio.My wisdom teeth are coming in.This sentence is useful for describing the sensation of wisdom teeth coming in using muelas del juicio.Tatoeba #1232964 by Shishir, translation #269784 by CK
- Vamos a tener que quitarle las muelas del juicio. Ahora mismo.We're going to have to remove your wisdom teeth. Right now.This sentence shows how to express the necessity of a dental extraction using muelas del juicio.Tatoeba #840668 by Shishir, translation #834843 by FeuDRenais2
- Le sacaron las muelas del juicio a Brian.Brian got his wisdom teeth out.This sentence describes the action of having wisdom teeth removed using muelas del juicio.Tatoeba #1110933 by jmdm78, translation #1009310 by lorx
- Doctor, ¿es necesario extraer mis muelas del juicio?Doctor, do I need to have my wisdom teeth removed?
- Me están saliendo las muelas del juicio y me duelen mucho.My wisdom teeth are coming in, and they're hurting a lot.
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are talking about a recent dental visit.
- LucíaMe duelen mucho las muelas del juicio.My wisdom teeth hurt a lot.
- JavierDeberías ir al dentista, Lucía.You should go to the dentist, Lucía.
- LucíaSí, creo que tengo que extraerlas.Yes, I think I have to have them extracted.
- JavierYo también pasé por eso hace años.I went through that too years ago.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
