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

📅 Published: November 16, 2025

🩺 Medical Spanish

alta

noun • /[AL-ta]/

discharge

Example:

El paciente ya tiene el alta médica.

The patient has been discharged.

🧠 What does alta mean?

In a medical context, 'el alta' is a feminine noun that means discharge, referring to the formal authorization for a patient to leave a hospital or medical facility. It is most frequently used with the verb 'dar' in the phrase 'dar el alta' (to discharge someone) or with 'recibir' in 'recibir el alta' (to be discharged). While 'alta' as an adjective means 'high' or 'tall', as a noun in this setting, its meaning is exclusively related to being released from medical care.

📚 Extra examples

  • El médico le dará el alta al paciente mañana por la mañana.
    The doctor will discharge the patient tomorrow morning.
  • Recibí el alta hospitalaria después de tres días en observación.
    I was discharged from the hospital after three days of observation.
  • El paciente está esperando el alta para poder volver a casa.
    The patient is waiting for his discharge so he can go home.
  • Antes de irse, tiene que firmar los papeles del alta.
    Before leaving, you have to sign the discharge papers.

💡 Did You Know?

Although 'alta' is a feminine noun, it takes the masculine definite article 'el' in its singular form ('el alta'). This is a grammatical rule in Spanish for feminine nouns that begin with a stressed 'a' or 'ha' sound, such as 'el agua' or 'el hacha', to improve the flow of speech. When it becomes plural, it reverts to the feminine article: 'las altas'. A related but distinct concept is the reflexive verb 'darse de alta', which means 'to register' or 'sign up' for a service. Its opposite is 'darse de baja' (to unsubscribe or cancel).

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "alta"

Synonyms: salida del hospital
Opposites: ingreso, admisión, hospitalización

🔍 See more medical spanish words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'discharge' in Spanish?
In a medical context, the most common way to say 'discharge' is 'el alta'. The verb phrase for 'to discharge' is 'dar el alta', and 'to be discharged' is 'recibir el alta'.
How do you pronounce 'alta' in Spanish?
'Alta' is pronounced 'AHL-tah'. The stress is on the first syllable. The 'a' vowels are open, similar to the 'a' in the English word 'father'.
How do you use 'alta' in a sentence?
'Alta' is a feminine noun, 'el alta', referring to a medical discharge. It is often used in the structure 'dar el alta a alguien', meaning 'to discharge someone'. For example: 'El hospital dio el alta a cinco pacientes'.
What is the English translation of 'alta'?
In a healthcare setting, the English translation of 'el alta' is 'discharge'. It refers to the official release of a patient from a hospital.
Does 'alta' change for gender or number?
As a noun meaning 'discharge', 'alta' is always feminine. It uses the masculine article 'el' in the singular ('el alta') for phonetic reasons, to avoid the 'a-a' sound clash. The plural form is 'las altas', as in 'Hoy hubo muchas altas en el hospital'.
Is 'alta' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, 'el alta' is the standard and universally understood term for medical discharge in all Spanish-speaking regions. Anyone discussing a hospital stay would use this word.
Does 'alta' have slang or double meanings?
The primary double meaning is its use as an adjective, where 'alta' means 'tall' or 'high'. Additionally, the phrase 'darse de alta' means to register or sign up for a service, like a gym or a newsletter. Context makes the meaning clear.
Is 'alta' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
No, the term 'el alta' for medical discharge is used consistently across Spain and Latin America with no significant regional variations.

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