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agudo means acute — a common term in Medical Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: November 18, 2025

🩺 Medical Spanish

agudo

adjective • /[a-GOO-do]/

acute

Example:

El dolor es muy agudo.

The pain is very acute.

🧠 What does agudo mean?

The adjective 'agudo' primarily translates to 'acute' in a medical context, describing a condition that has a sudden onset, sharp rise, and short course. It is used for severe, intense symptoms, such as 'un dolor agudo' (an acute pain). Beyond medicine, 'agudo' has several other important meanings. It can describe something physically sharp or pointed, like 'un cuchillo agudo' (a sharp knife). It also refers to a high-pitched sound, such as 'una voz aguda' (a high voice). Additionally, it can characterize a keen or sharp intellect or sense, as in 'un ingenio agudo' (a sharp wit). In Spanish grammar, it identifies a word stressed on the last syllable.

📚 Extra examples

  • El paciente fue ingresado por una apendicitis aguda.
    The patient was admitted for acute appendicitis.
  • Ten cuidado con ese clavo agudo que sobresale de la madera.
    Be careful with that sharp nail sticking out of the wood.
  • El silbato emitió un sonido muy agudo y penetrante.
    The whistle emitted a very high-pitched and piercing sound.
  • Su agudo sentido de la observación le permitió resolver el misterio.
    His keen sense of observation allowed him to solve the mystery.

💡 Did You Know?

In Spanish grammar, a 'palabra aguda' is a word where the stress falls on the final syllable, like 'canción' or 'hablar'. These words have a written accent (tilde) only when they end in a vowel, 'n', or 's'.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "agudo"

Synonyms: punzante, intenso, afilado, puntiagudo, penetrante, perspicaz
Opposites: crónico, leve, romo, grave, bajo

🔍 See more medical spanish words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'acute' in Spanish?
The most common way to say 'acute' in a medical context is 'agudo' for masculine nouns or 'aguda' for feminine nouns. For example, 'dolor agudo' (acute pain) and 'infección aguda' (acute infection).
How do you pronounce 'agudo' in Spanish?
The pronunciation is ah-GOO-doh. The stress is on the second syllable, 'gu'.
How do you use 'agudo' in a sentence?
'Agudo' is an adjective used to modify a noun. For example, 'El paciente siente un dolor agudo' (The patient feels an acute pain). It must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes.
What is the English translation of 'agudo'?
The English translation of 'agudo' depends on the context. It can mean 'acute' (medical), 'sharp' (object or intellect), or 'high-pitched' (sound).
Does 'agudo' change for gender or number?
Yes, it is a regular adjective. It changes to 'aguda' for feminine nouns (e.g., 'una enfermedad aguda'), 'agudos' for masculine plural nouns (e.g., 'dolores agudos'), and 'agudas' for feminine plural nouns (e.g., 'voces agudas').
Is 'agudo' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, it is a common and versatile word used in various contexts, including medicine, describing objects, sounds, and personal qualities. Its medical usage is standard terminology.
Does 'agudo' have slang or double meanings?
'Agudo' does not have significant slang meanings. Its primary challenge for learners is understanding its different standard definitions—sharp, acute, high-pitched, and keen—based on the context.
Is 'agudo' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
No, the meaning and use of 'agudo' are consistent across all major Spanish-speaking regions.

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