¡Hola! Being able to talk about your health and well-being is essential in any language, whether you need to see a doctor, describe how you're feeling, or discuss healthy habits. In this chapter, we'll cover key vocabulary related to the body, common ailments, and practices for staying healthy.
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
Talking about health often involves describing physical sensations or conditions. We'll build on your knowledge of verbs like "ser" and "estar," and introduce new, specific vocabulary.
(Optional Review): How do you say "My head" (Mi cabeza)? How do you say "I am tired" (Estoy cansado/a)? How would you use "gustar-like" verbs for pain, e.g., "My head hurts me" (Me duele la cabeza - from Chapter 20)?
The part of the body that hurts is the subject of doler, and the person experiencing the pain is the indirect object.
Structure: (A + person) + IOP + duele (singular body part) / duelen (plural body part) + body part.
Master vocabulary for health and well-being.
Import Chapter 47 Flashcards(Requires login to import/study)
Instructions: Match the body part with a common related symptom/problem.
1. la cabeza ( ) la tos
2. el estómago ( ) la fiebre (general)
3. la garganta ( ) el dolor de muelas (toothache)
4. los pulmones ( ) el dolor de cabeza (headache)
5. un diente ( ) el dolor de garganta (sore throat)
( ) el dolor de estómagoAnswer Key:
1. la cabeza → el dolor de cabeza
2. el estómago → el dolor de estómago
3. la garganta → el dolor de garganta
4. los pulmones → la tos (related, though fever is general)
5. un diente → el dolor de muelasInstructions: Choose the best verb (tener, estar, or doler conjugated) to complete the sentence.
Answer Key:
Instructions: Imagine you are not feeling well. Write three sentences describing your symptoms using "tener," "estar," "doler," or "sentirse."
(Answers will vary. Example: Me duele la cabeza y me siento cansado.)
Instructions: Write two sentences about healthy habits you have or would like to have.
(Answers will vary. Example: Bebo mucha agua todos los días.)
Instructions: In pairs, one person is the patient, and the other is the doctor. The patient describes their symptoms. The doctor asks questions and gives simple advice.
Patient might say: "Me duele la garganta y tengo fiebre."
Doctor might ask: "¿Desde cuándo se siente así?" (Since when do you feel this way?)
Doctor might advise: "Debería descansar y beber mucho líquido." (You should rest and drink a lot of fluids.)
Approaches to health and well-being can vary across Spanish-speaking cultures. While modern medicine is widely practiced, in many communities, traditional remedies (remedios caseros or remedios naturales) and beliefs about health play a significant role. It's not uncommon for families to have their own preferred herbal teas (infusiones or tés de hierbas) for common ailments like a cold (resfriado) or stomach ache (dolor de estómago).
The role of the pharmacy (farmacia) can also be quite central. In many Spanish-speaking countries, pharmacists are highly respected and often provide initial consultations and recommendations for minor illnesses, sometimes even before a doctor's visit. Expressing concern for someone's health ("Espero que te mejores pronto" - I hope you get better soon) and offering support are common and valued social gestures. Being able to discuss symptoms, even simply, can be very important if you find yourself needing medical assistance or wanting to show care for someone who is unwell.
Both are used for pain, but with slightly different structures:
Both are common. "Doler" is very frequent for specific body part aches.
When talking about actions done to one's own body parts (washing, brushing) or pains in one's own body parts, Spanish often uses a definite article (el, la, los, las) where English would use a possessive adjective (my, your, his).
The reflexive pronoun (me, te, se) or indirect object pronoun often implies whose body part it is.
Body Parts: la cabeza, el pelo, los ojos, la nariz, la boca, los dientes, las orejas, el cuello, los hombros, el brazo, la mano, los dedos, el pecho, la espalda, el estómago, la pierna, la rodilla, el pie.
Symptoms/Illnesses: el dolor de..., la fiebre, la tos, el resfriado, la gripe, mareado/a, cansado/a, enfermo/a.
Verbs: tener (dolor, fiebre), estar (enfermo, cansado), doler, sentirse.
Healthy Habits: comer bien, hacer ejercicio, dormir bien, beber agua, relajarse.
Using "tener" for symptoms, "estar" for states of health, "doler" for aches (like "gustar"), "sentirse" for how one feels.
¡Muy bien! Being able to discuss health is very practical. In the next chapter, 'Trabajo y Profesiones' (Work and Professions), we'll learn vocabulary to talk about different jobs, workplaces, and skills, and discuss career aspirations. ¡A trabajar en el próximo capítulo!