Spanish Medical and Health Vocabulary

Knowing how to talk about your health is one of the most practical skills you can learn in any language. This vocabulary list covers the essential Spanish words you'll need if you get sick, need to visit a pharmacy, or have to explain how you're feeling to a doctor. Whether you have a simple headache or need to describe more specific symptoms, these words will give you the confidence to handle health-related situations while traveling or living in a Spanish-speaking country. We've focused on high-frequency, practical terms used throughout Latin America. You'll notice many cognates—words that look and mean the same thing in English—like 'hospital', 'doctor', and 'alergia'. This makes learning them much easier. We'll start with people and places, move on to common symptoms and illnesses, and finish with treatments and actions. Pay close attention to phrases like 'me duele...' (it hurts...) and 'tengo...' (I have...), which are fundamental for describing what's wrong. While most of these terms are standard, remember that 'medicina' is common for medicine in general, while 'medicamento' is also widely used, especially in more formal contexts or at a pharmacy. With this list, you'll be well-prepared for everyday health conversations.