Spanish phrases for PTs

Common Physical Therapy words and phrases translated into Spanish for more effective communication with Spanish speaking patients.

1. Nicolas Olson-Studler, SPT
Spanish Phrases for Physical Therapists:

Physical Therapy/Physical Therapist (Assistant)
Terapia física (fisioterapia)/terapeuta física (asistente)
(Tare-Ah-pee-Ah fee-si-cah, fee-zio-ter-ah-”P”-Ah/ter-Ah-pay-uu-tah fee-zi-kah, ah-sees-ten-tay)

Orthopedics
Ortopedia
(Or-toh-pay-”D”-ah)

Avoid aggravating/painful movements
Evite movimientos que sean agravantes/dolorosos
(Ay-”V”-tay moh-vi-myEn-tohs “K” say-yahn ah-grah-vahn-tays/doh-loh-ro-sOs)

Hello, my name is ______. I am a Physical Therapist and I will be working with you today.
How are you? Have you been to Physical Therapy before?
Hola me llamo ________. Soy un/a terapeuta físico/a y le evaluaré hoy. Cómo está usted?
Alguna vez ha recibido Terapia física?
(“O”-lah may yah-mo _____, Soy uu-n/uu-nah ter-Ah-pay-u-tah fee-zi-koh/kah “E” lay Ay-vahl-U-
R-ay Oy. Ko-mo eS-stahs uu-sted? Ahl-goon-ah ves Ah ray-say-bee-doh ter-Ah-”P”-Ah fee-si-
kah?)

What is you date of birth?
Cuál es su fecha de nacimiento?
(Kwal “S” sue fay-cha day nah-see-myEn-toh?)

Can you describe your pain? (sharp, aching/sore, throbbing)
Como es el dolor/puede describirlo? (agudo, doloroso, punzante)
(Ko-mo “S” “L” doh-lor/pway-day des-kree-beer-loh? Ah-goo-doh, doh-loh-roh-soh)

Can you tell me what happened? When did you start experiencing this? Was there an
event that caused this? How did you injure yourself? How long has the pain been
bothering you?
Me puede decir qué ocurrió? Cuando empezó con los síntomas? Hubo algún evento que lo
ocasionó? Como se lesionó? Por cuánto tiempo ha sentido molestia?
(May pwah-day day-seer “K” Oh-coo-Rio? Kwan-doh eM-pay-zoh cohn lohs seen-toe-mahs?
uu-boh Ahl-goon “A”-ven-toh “K” loh “O”-kah-syohn-O? Ko-mo say lay-syon-O? Poor kwan-toh
tyem-pOh Ah sen-”T”-doh mOh-less-”T”-Ah?)



Where does it hurt? Tell me what you feel.
Donde le duele? Dígame lo que siente.

2. (don-day lay dwue-lay? “D”-gah-may loh “K” syen-tay)

When did you first get injured?
Cuándo se daño por primera vez?
(Kwahndo say dahn-yo poor pree-mAr-ah ves)

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Lunes, Martes, Miércoles, Jueves, Viernes, Sábado, Domingo
(Loon-es,Mar-tes,Mi-air-co-les,Hweh-ves,Bee-air-nes,Sa-ba-do,Do-mingo)

Where is your pain?
Dónde está el dolor?
(Dohn-day ‘S’-tah ‘L’ doh-lore)

How bad is your pain (0-10 scale)?
De cero a diez, cuánto le duele?
(Day sero ah dee-ez, qwanto lay dway-lay?)

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten
Uno, dos, tres, cuatro, cinco, seis, siete, ocho, nueve, diez
(u-no, dose, trayse, qwa-tro, sink-o, sAY-s, sya-tay, O-cho, nway-vay, dee-yays)

What aggravates/alleviates your condition?
Hay algo que empeora/mejora el dolor?
(“I” ahl-go “K” em-pay-or-a/ may-hor-a “L” doh-lore?)

burning, brief, constant, better, worse
Quema, breve, constante, mejor, peor
(“K”-mah, breh-vey, cone-stahn-tay, may-hor, pay-or)

Does your pain wake you up at night?
Le despierta el dolor por la noche?
(Lay des-pyAre-tay “L” doh-lore por lah no-chay?)

Do you have a history of back/neck pain? Medical history?
Tiene una historia de dolor de espalda/cuello? historia médica?
(tyay-nay uu-nah “E”-stor-”E”-ah day doh-lohr day eS-pal-dah/kway-yoh? “E”-stor-”E”-ah mey-
”D”-Kah?)



Do you have any numbness or tingling in your arms/legs?
Tiene entumecimiento u hormigueo en los brazos/las piernas
(tyay-nay “N”-too-may-see-myen-toh uu Or-me-gay-”O” “N” lohs brah-sos/lahs “P”-yer-nahs?)

3. Have you injured your shoulder before?
Se ha lesionado el hombro alguna vez?
(say Ah lay-syon-O “L” Ohm-broh Ahl-goo-nah veys?)

Does your shoulder feel tight?
Siente tensión en el hombro?
(“C”-yen-tay ten-syOn “N” “L” ohm-broh?)

Do you have high blood pressure? Do you take medicine to control it.
Tiene presión alta? Toma medicina para controlarla?
(tyay-nay press-yohn-ahl-tah? Toh-mah mey-”D”-seen-ah pah-rah cohn-troh-lar?)

Vital signs
Signos vitales
(Seeg-nohs “V”-tah-lays)

Do you exercise often?
Hace ejercicio a menudo?
(Ah-Say Ay-hare-”C”-”C”-”O” Ah may-new-doh?)

Do you ever have discomfort in your chest with activity?
Alguna vez ha sentido fastidio en el pecho haciendo alguna actividad?
(Ahl-goo-nah veys Ah sen-”T”-doh fahs-”T”-”D”-”O” “N” “L” pay-chO Ah-”C”-”N”-doh Ahl-goo-nah
Ahk-”T”-”V”-dahd?)

Shortness of breath/dyspnea
Falta de aliento/aire
(Fall-tah day All-yeN-toh/ ”I”-ray)

Are you dizzy/Do you feel dizzy?
Está mareado/Se siente mareado?
(“S”-tah mar-ay-ah-doh/Say syen-tay mar-ay-ah-doh?)

Are there activities that are hard for you to do?
Hay actividades que son difíciles de hacer para usted?
(“I” ahk-”T”-”V”-dahd “K” sohn “D”-fee-seal day Ah-sayR pah-rah uu-sted?



Do you lose you balance easily?
Pierde el equilibrio fácilmente?
(Pyer-day “L” “E”-quil-”E”-bree-Oh Fah-seal-men-tay?)

4. Do you feel depressed/Do you have depression?
Se siente deprimido/Tiene depresión?
(Say syen-tay Day-prE-mE-doh/tyen-ay day-pres-syon?)

Have you had any surgeries?
Ha tenido alguna cirugía?
(Ah-tay-nE-doh Ahl-goo-nah “C”-ru-hE-Ah?)

Who do you live with at home? Do you have help available if needed? Are there any
stairs to enter your home or within your home? Do those stairs have a railing?
Quién vive con usted? Alguien puede ayudarle si necesita ayuda? Hay escaleras para entrar a
su casa o dentro de la casa? Estás escaleras tienen una barra?
(Kyen “V”-vay cOhn uu-sted? Ahl-gyen pway-day Ah-”U”-dar-lay “C” nay-say-”C”-tah Ah-”U”-
dah? “I” “S”-kah-ler-Ahs pah-rah “N”-trar Ah suu cah-sah “O” den-troh day lah cah-sah? “S”-tahs
“S”-kah-ler-Ahs tyA-nen uu-nah ba-rrah?)

Wife/husband, children, parents
esposa/esposo, hijos, padres
(“eS”-po-sah/ “eS” po-so; “E”-hos; pah-dreys)

Do you have high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, cardiac issues, shortness of breath,
lightheadedness/dizziness, arthritis, history of cancer, history of falls?
Tiene presión alta, diabetes, asma, problemas cardíacos, falta de respiración, mareos, artritis,
historia de cáncer, historia de caídas?
(TyA-nay pres-syon Ahl-tah, “D”-Ah-bet-eS, Ahs-mah, proh-blem-ahs car-”D”-Ah-kOhs, Fall-tah
day res-”P”-rah-syon, mar-Ay-Ohs, aR-tree-tees, “E”-stor-”E”-Ah day cAhn-sEr, “E”-stor-”E”-Ah
day Kai-”E”-dahs?)

Does your knee ever buckle, catching, click, or feel unstable?
Alguna vez su pierna se ha doblado, se ha enganchado, ha hecho clic, o se siente inestable?
(Ahl-goo-nah veys sue pyer-nah say Ah doh-blah-doh, say Ah “N”-gah-chAh-doh, Ah Eh-chO
clEEk, “O” say syen-tay EEn-”S”-tah-blay?)





Do you have difficulty with sitting, standing up, getting out of bed, walking in your
home/long distances, raising your arm, reaching behind your back/behind your head,
gripping, dressing, bathing, grooming, driving, or sleeping?
Tiene dificultad para sentarse, pararse, levantarse de la cama, caminar/andar en la
casa/distancias largas, levantar el brazo, alcanzar detrás de la espalda/el cuello, agarrar,
vestirse, bañarse, cepillarse el pelo/los dientes, conducir, o dormir?

5. (Tyay-nay “D”-fee-cool-tahd pah-rah sen-teer-say, pah-rahr-say, lay-vahn-tar-say day- lah-cah-
mah, Kah-mE-naR/Ahn-dahr “N” lah cah-sah/”D”-stahn-”C”-Ahs lahR-gAhs, lay-vahn-tahr “L”
brah-soh, Ahl-cahn-sahr Day-trahs day lah “S”-pahl-dah/”L” kway-yoh, Ah-gah-rrar, Ves-teer-
say, bahn-yar-say, sep-”E”-yahr-say “L” pay-loh/lohs dyen-tays, Kohn-Du-seer, “O” door-meer?)

What is your occupation?
Cuál es su empleo/ocupación?
(Kwal “S” sue em-play-o/O-coo-pa-syon)

What do you do for work? What movements/activities will you need to perform in order to
return to your full work duties? Are you able to take time off work? Are you able to
perform light/modified duties or desk work in the meantime?
En qué consiste su trabajo? Que movimientos/actividades necesitará hacer para volver a
desempeñar sus funciones completas en el trabajo? Puede tomar días de descanso en el
trabajo? Puede desempeñar otras funciones que impliquen menos esfuerzo como trabajo de
oficina mientras tanto?
(“N” “K” Kohn-see-stay su trah-Ba-hO? “K” mOh-”V”-myen-tohs/Ahk-”T”-”V”-dahd-Ays Ney-sey-
”C”-tahr-Ah Ah-seR pah-rah vOl-veR Ah deS-”M”-pen-yar suus foonk-syOn-ays cOhm-play-tahs
“N” “L” trah-Ba-hO? Pwey-dey Toh-maR “D”-Ahs day deS-Kahn-soh “N” “L” trah-Ba-hO? Pwey-
dey deS-”M”-pen-yar “O”-trahs foonk-syOn-ays “K” EEm-plEE-kahn may-nohs “S”-fwaR-soh
Koh-moh trah-Ba-hO day “O”-Fee-”C”-nah myen-trohs tahn-toh?)

What are you unable to do that you need to be able to do?
Que no puede hacer que necesita hacer?
(“K” no pway-day Ah-ser “K” ness-es-E-tah Ah-ser)

What types of activities do you do for exercise? What sports do you play?
Qué tipos de ejercicio hace? Qué deportes juega?
(“K” “T”-pOh day Ey-hare-”C”-”C”-”O” Ah-say? “K” day-poor-tays hway-gAh?)

Are you left or right hand dominant?
Usted es zurdo o diestro?
(uu-sted “S” suur-doh “O” “D”-”S”-troh?)



Do you have any questions for me? Do you understand me?
Tiene alguna pregunta para mi? Me entiende?
(Tyay-nay Ahl-goo-nah pray-goon-tah pah-rah mE? May eN-tyen-day?)

Have you gotten x-ray images for your shoulder?
Le han sacado radiografías del hombro?
(Lay Ahn sah-cah-doh rah-dyo-grah-Fee-Ahs deL Ohm-broh?)

6. I am going to examine your strength, range of motion, how you walk and the movements
that cause you pain.
Voy a examinar su fuerza muscular, rango de movimiento, como camina/anda y los
movimientos que le causan dolor.
(Voy Ah “X”-Ah-mE-naR sue fwAr-sA Moo-skoo-lahr, rAhn-Go day mO-”V”-myen-toh, Ko-mO
Kah-mE-nah/Ahn-Da “E” lohs mO-”V”-myen-tohs “K” lay cow-sahn doh-lohr.)

I think you may have a rotator cuff tear, labral tear, meniscus tear, torn ligament,
impingement syndrome, patellofemoral pain, joint/muscle irritation, inflammation,
infection, concussion, compressed nerve, tendonitis.
Pienso que posiblemente tiene un desgarro en el manguito rotatorio, un desgarro en el labrum,
una ruptura de meniscos, una ruptura del ligamento, síndrome de compresión en el hombro,
síndrome de dolor patelofemoral, irritación de la articulación/del músculo, inflamación, infección,
concusión, nervio comprimido, tendonitis.
(Pyen-soh “K” pOh-see-bley-men-tay tyay-nay uun des-gaR-O “N” “L” mahn-gwee-toh Roh-tah-
tor-ryo, uun des-gaR-O “N” “L” LAh-broom, uu-nah roop-too-rah day may-nE-scOs, uu-nah
roop-too-rah deL Lee-gah-men-toh, seen-drO-meh day KOhm-press-yohn “N” “L” Ohm-broh,
seen-drO-meh day doh-lohr pAh-tell-Oh-feM-Or-Ahl, “E”-Ri-tah-syon day lah aR-”T”-Koo-lah-
syon/deL Moo-skoo-loh, in-flah-mah-syon, in-fek-syon, cOhn-Koo-syon, nAhr-Vyo cOhm-PrE-
mE-doh, Ten-doh-nE-tEs.)

What did the doctor tell you?
Que le dijo el doctor?
(“K” lay “D”-hO “L” dOhK-tOr?)

Do you take medication/have you gotten an injection?
Toma medicina/ha recibido una inyección?
(Toh-mah mey-D-C-Nah/Ah ray-C-B-Doh uu-nah in-Yek-syon?)

Does it hurt here/is it tender when I touch or push here?
Le duele aquí donde estoy tocando/empujando?
(Lay dwell-Ay Ah-Key dOhn-Day S-toy tOh-Kahn-doh/”M”-Poo-hAhn-doh?)



Muscle/nerve/bone/ligament/tendon/blood
el músculo/el nervio/el hueso/el ligamento/el tendón/la sangre
(“L” Moo-skoo-loh/”L” nAr-Vyo/”L” hway-sO/”L” LEE-gah-men-toh/”L” Ten-dOhn/Lah sahn-grey)

hip/knee/shoulder/back/neck/head
cadera/rodilla/hombro/espalda/cuello/cabeza
(Kah-dA-Rah/Row-D-yAh/Ohm-broh/S-Pahl-dah/kwey-yo/Kah-Bey-sah)

shoulder blade/foot/hand/arm/leg/ankle/buttocks

7. omóplato/pie/mano/pierna/tobillo/nalgas
(“O”-Moh-plAh-toh/PyA/mAh-nO/pyer-nAh/Toh-B-yO/nAhl-gAhs)

wrist, fingers, arm
muñeca, espalda, brazo
(moon-yay-ca, day-dohs, brah-soh)

tight/weak/strong/strengthen
tenso/debil/fuerte/fortalecer
(Ten-sO/Day-bEEL/FwAr-tay/For-tah-lay-sAer)

Away, towards, overhead, in/out, up/down
lejos, cerca, por encima, dentro/fuera, arriba/abajo
(lay-hose, ser-ka, por N-see-ma, den-tro/fwera, ah-reba/ah-bah-ho)

Stand up
Levántese
(Lay-vAhn-tay-say)

Sit down
Siéntese
(syen-tay-say)

Lay down face down/face up
Acuéstese boca arriba/boca abajo
(Ah-ques-tay-say bO-kah Ah-rEE-bah/bO-kah Ah-bah-hO)

Turn onto your left/right side
Échese hacia el lado izquierdo/derecho
(eh-chay-say Ah-”C”-Ah “L” lah-doh “E”-scyAr-doh/Day-rech-O)

Turn around
Gire
(hE-ray)

Squat (noun)/ Squat (verb)
sentadilla/agáchese
(sen-tah-D-yA/Ah-gAh-chey-say)

Stand/balance on one leg
Parese en una pierna
(Pah-ray-say “N” uu-nah pyer-nah)

Raise your arm (to 90 degrees)

8. Levante el brazo (a noventa grados)
(Lay-vahn-tay “L” brah-soh (Ah nO-Ven-tah grAh-dOs))

Lift your leg (off the table)
Levante la pierna de la camilla
(Lay-vAhn-tay lah pyer-nah day lah cah-mE-yA)

Relax.. I am going to move your arm gently
Relájese.. voy a mover su brazo cuidadosamente
(Ray-lah-hA-say.. voy Ah mO-vAr su brah-soh kwE-dah-doh-sah-men-tay)

Hold your arm there/don’t move
Mantenga el brazo aquí/no lo mueva
(mahn-ten-gah “L” brah-soh Ah-Key/nO loh mwey-vah)

Straighten/extend/stretch your leg/knee
Estire la pierna/rodilla
(“S”-”T”-ray lah pyer-nah/Row-D-yAh)

Bend/flex your arm/elbow
Doble el brazo/codo
(Doh-blay “L” brah-soh/Koh-doh)

Exercises
los ejercicios
(Lohs “A”-hAr-”C”-”C”-Ohs)

Push/pull
empuje/jale
(“M”-Poo-hay/hAh-lay)



easy/medium/hard
fácil/más o menos/difícil
(fA-seal/mAhs “O” may-nOs/”D”-Fee-seal)

Grab here/hold on/place your hands here for support
agarre aquí/mantengalo/ponga las manos aquí para apoyarse
(Ah-gah-ray Ah-Key/mahn-ten-gah-loh/pOhn-gah lAhs mah-nOs Ah-Key pah-rah Ah-pO-yAr-
say)

sit/stand with good posture/ tall
siéntese/párese con buena postura/derecho

9. (syen-tay-say/pah-ray-say cohn bway-nah pOs-too-rah/day-rech-Ah)

Do it like this/watch me
Haga como yo/míreme
(Ah-gah Ko-moh yO/mE-ray-may)

Keep your knees over your toes/don’t let your knee collapse in/squat down with your
hips back like you are going to sit in a chair
Mantenga las rodillas al mismo nivel de los pies/no permita que la rodilla se mueva al
medio/agachese con las caderas hacia atrás como sentarse en una silla
(mahn-ten-gah lahs Row-D-yAhs Ahl mE-smoh nE-veL day-lohs pyAs/nO pAr-mE-tah “K” lah
Row-DyAh say mwey-vay Ahl may-D-yO/Ah-gah-chey-say cohn lahs Kah-dA-Rahs Ah-C-Ah
Ah-trAhs Ko-moh sen-tahr-say “N” uu-nah “C”-yA)

slowly/quickly
despacio/rapido
(des-pAh-”C”-yO/rAh-”P”-doh)

bike –
bicicleta
(bee-see-clay-tah)

eyes open/closed-
ojos abiertos/cerrados
(o-hos ah-bee-air-toes/ ser-rah-dohs)

Tighten your abs/glutes/quad
apriete los abdominales/los glúteos/los cuádriceps
(Ah-prE-eh-tay lohs Ahb-dOh-mE-nAh-lays/lohs gloo-tay-Os/lohs qua-drE-seps)



Bring your knee up/kick your leg out
levante la rodilla/patee
(lay-vahn-tay lah Row-D-yAh/Pah-tay)

Protect/rest/ice/compress/elevate
proteja/descanse/ponga hielo/comprima/eleve
(Proh-tay-hA/des-kahn-say/pohn-gah yAy-loh/kohm-prE-mah/eh-lay-vay)

Knee brace/arm sling/crutches/cane/walker (2 wheeled/ 4 wheeled)
la rodillera/el cabestrillo/las muletas/el bastón/el andador (con dos/cuatro ruedas)
(lah Row-D-yAr-rah/”L” Kah-Bay-strE-yO/lahs Moo-lay-tahs/”L” bah-stOhn/”L” Ahn-dah-dohr
(cohn dOs/qua-troh Rew-”A”-dAhs))

10. Wheelchair
Silla de ruedas
(“C”-yA day Rew-”A”-dAhs)

please/thank you
por favor/gracias
(pOhr fAh-vOhr/grah-C-Ahs)

Walk down the hallway
Camine/ande por el pasillo
(Kah-mE-nay/Ahn-day pOhr “L” pah-”C”-”O”)

straight forward/straight/to the side
adelante/recto/al lado
(Ah-day-lahn-tay/rek-toh-Ahl lAh-doh)

Step up/down (ascend/descend)
subir/bajar (ascender/descender)
(sue-beer/bah-haR (Ah-sen-dAr/day-sen-dAr))

Keep your trunk straight/pelvis level
Mantenga el tronco todo recto/la pelvis plana
(mahn-ten-gah “L” trOn-koh toh-doh rek-toh/lah peL-”V”-s plah-nah)

Breathe normally/don’t hold your breath
Respire normal/no detenga la respiración
(Res-P-ray nOhr-mahl/nO day-ten-gah lah res-P-rah-syon)



yes/no/very good/bad
sí/no/muy bien/malo
(“C” / nO / Moo-y byeN / mah-loh)

That’s normal
Es normal
(“S” nOhr-mahl)

Pinch your shoulder blades
Apriete los omóplatos
(Ah-prE-eh-tay lohs O-mO-plah-tohs)

Tuck your chin in

11. Lleve el mentón hacia atrás
(yAy-vay “L” men-tohn Ah-”C”-Ah Ah-trAhs)

I will print out pictures of the exercises for you.
Voy a imprimir fotos de los ejecicios para usted
(voy Ah EEm-prE-meer fOh-tohs day-lohs “A”-hAr-”C”-”C”-Ohs pah-rah uu-sted)

Home exercise program
Programa de ejercicios en casa
(proh-grah-mah day “A”-hAr-”C”-”C”-Ohs “N” cah-sah)

Nice to meet you/take care
Mucho gusto/cuidese
(Moo-chO Goo-stOh/kwE-dey-say)

We will see you for PT next week.
Nos vemos en la próxima sesión de terapia la semana siguiente.
(nOhs vay-mOhs “N” lah prOx-E-mAh seh-syon day Tare-Ah-pee-Ah lah say-mah-nah “C”-
gyen-tay)

Resistance band
La banda de resistencia
(lah bahn-dah day res-E-sten-C-Ah)

Hold the 2 lb dumbbell
Agarre la pesa de dos libras
(Ah-gah-Ray lah pay-sah day dOs LEE-brahs)

*vocabulary and phrases are subject to vary depending on the dialect of Spanish utilized by the
speaker. Phrases above are consistent with the Spanish language (Latin America).