A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "I have chest pain" in Spanish
Expressing chest pain in Spanish for medical emergencies. Essential for seeking urgent help.
Tengo dolor de pecho.
TEN-go doh-LOR deh PEH-chohneutral
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Use this phrase when you are experiencing discomfort or pain in your chest and need to communicate it to a doctor, nurse, or emergency services. It's a direct way to signal a potentially serious medical issue.
Alternatives
- Me duele el pecho.Slightly more common in everyday speech, but 'tengo dolor' is more standard for medical contexts.
- Siento dolor en el pecho.A bit more descriptive, emphasizing the sensation.
Ways to get it wrong
Confusing 'dolor' with 'dolorous'
'Dolor' means pain; 'dolorous' is an English word meaning sorrowful.
Incorrect verb for 'pain'
While 'doler' (to hurt) is related, 'tener dolor' (to have pain) is the standard way to state you have pain.
Frequently asked
What's the difference between 'tengo dolor de pecho' and 'me duele el pecho'?
'Tengo dolor de pecho' is a more direct statement of having the symptom, often used in medical settings. 'Me duele el pecho' is also very common and means 'my chest hurts'.
How to say 'heart attack' in Spanish?
The most common term is 'ataque al corazón' or 'infarto'. It's important to know these terms for serious emergencies.
What if I need to describe the pain?
You can add adjectives like 'fuerte' (strong), 'leve' (mild), 'agudo' (sharp), or 'constante' (constant) after 'dolor'.
