Spanish “Basics” for Health Care
Translators
(This is a small beginning to help English/Spanish speakers help translate health terms for Spanish speakers. It assumes the ability to pronounce Spanish words and use general conversational Spanish, but a few general expressions are included to help non-Spanish speakers communicate also. It will continue to grow. There is a free translation service on Google.com at http://www.google.com/language_tools?hl=en . To suggest additions or corrections, or if you would like to be placed on a waiting list for a class for Health Care Translators, please contact Alex Smythers at asmythers@carolina.rr.com )
Some Good Ideas:
1. Be sure the patient understands. Have the patient repeat important information.
2. Write down your name and phone number with appointments and instructions for medications in English and in Spanish to the patient can get help.
3. If you are not sure of your Spanish, try to enlist the aid of an adult (rather than a child) from the patients family to help clarify information.
4. Preparing a Spanish guide to your office forms can be a big help.
5. Keep a list of helpful agencies or persons the patient can call for additional help in Spanish.
6. Name tags with Spanish job titles and Spanish labels on rooms make patients feel more relaxed.
General
Expressions:
How are you? ¿cómo está usted?
I’m happy to see you.
Tengo mucho
gusto en
verle.
Welcome. Bienvenidos.
Good news Buenos noticias
Do you have any additional requests ¿Tiene usted algunos pedidos adicionales?
Where is your problem? ¿Donde está la problem?
Don’t worry. No se preocupe.
Don’t be afraid. No tiene miedo.
Calm down. Cálmese.
Come. Venga.
Go.
Vaya.
Please wait.
Espérese por favor.
Please fill out this form.
Por favor, completa
esta forma.
Examinations
el
examen
Are you in pain? tiene dolor?
Point to
señale
Touch toque
I am going to examine you Yo voy a examinarse.
Get undressed please. Desvístase por favor.
Open your mouth. Abra la boca.
Lie down. Acuéstese.
Sit down. Siéntese.
Stand up. Levántese.
Turn around. Voltéese.
Wait here. Espérese aquí.
Where is Donde está
the injury la herida
your medicine su medicina
the pain el dolor
breathe respire
pull jale
push empuje
open abra
close cierre
move mueva
like
this
Appointment la cita
When is Cuando es
When is the date? Cual es la fecha?
At what time a que hora?
Do you have insurance? Tiene usted seguros
Is this an emergency? Es este una emergencia
Infants los infants
Colic
el cólico
Rash
la erupción
Milk
la leche
Formula
la formula
Bottle nipple or pacifier
el chupete
He (she) needs a nap Necesita una siesta.
He (she) needs rest. Necesita descansar.
He (she) needs medicine Necesita medicina.
Health
problems
Problemas
A little bit …. Un poco
Very (a lot).. Mucho
Blind ciego
Deaf sordo
Birth defect
un defecto de nacimiento
Jaundice
ictericia
A miscarriage
una perdida
Diseases
los enfermedades
Aids
SIDA
Anemia
anemia
Asthma
asma
Cancer
cáncer
Chicken pox
varicela
Cholera
cólera
Diabetes
diabetes
Epilepsy
epilepsia
Fever
fiebre
Heart disease
enfermedad de corazón
Hepatitis
hepatitis
Leucemia
leucemia
Mézales
sarampión
Mumps
paperas
Pneumonia
pulmonía
Tetanus
tétano
Body parts
el cuerpo
Head
la cabeza
Eyes
los ojos
Ears
los oídos/las orejas
Nose
el nariz
Face
la cara
Mouth
la boca
Lips
los labios
Tongue
la lengua
Teeth
los dientes
Neck
el cuello
Throat
la garganta
Rib
la costilla
Knee
la rodilla
Kneecap
la rotula
Ankle
el tobillo
Heel
el talón
Back
la espalda
Heart
el corazón
Muscle
el músculo
Lungs
los pulmones
Hands
manos
Foot (feet) pie (pies)
Fingers dedos de manos
Nails las uñas
Toes dedos de pie
Arm el brazo
Elbow el codo
Shoulder el hombro
Leg
la pierna
Stomach
el estomago
Blood
la sangre
Bone
el hueso
Treatments
Take this medicine
Toma esta medicina
Every hour/day/3 times a day cada hora/día/tres veces cada día
With meals con comida
With water con agua
This is for the pain Esto es para el dolor.
You need another visit. Usted necesita otra cita.
You need more tests. Usted necesita mas