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ausencia means absence (e.g., seizure) — a common term in Medical Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: October 18, 2025

🩺 Medical Spanish

ausencia

noun • /[ow-SEN-syah]/

absence (e.g., seizure)

Example:

La paciente presentó una crisis de ausencia.

The patient had an absence seizure.

🧠 What does ausencia mean?

In a medical context, "ausencia" refers to a temporary loss of consciousness or awareness, often associated with seizures, particularly absence seizures (petit mal). It can also more broadly describe the lack or nonexistence of something, like a symptom or a reflex.

📚 Extra examples

  • El paciente experimentó una breve ausencia durante la consulta.
    The patient experienced a brief absence during the consultation.
  • Las ausencias comenzaron en la infancia.
    The absences began in childhood.
  • El neurólogo diagnosticó ausencias típicas.
    The neurologist diagnosed typical absences.
  • Notaron la ausencia del reflejo rotuliano.
    They noted the absence of the patellar reflex.

💡 Did You Know?

The term 'ausencia' comes from the Latin 'absentia,' which shares the same root as the English word 'absent.'

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "ausencia"

Synonyms: desvanecimiento, pérdida de consciencia
Opposites: presencia, conciencia

🔍 See more medical spanish words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'absence (e.g., seizure)' in Spanish?
In medical Spanish, 'absence' in the context of a seizure is most commonly translated as 'ausencia'.
How do you pronounce 'ausencia' in Spanish?
It's pronounced ow-SEN-thee-ah, with the stress on the second syllable.
How do you use 'ausencia' in a sentence?
Example: 'El niño tuvo una ausencia de unos segundos.' (The child had an absence of a few seconds.)
What is the English translation of 'ausencia'?
In medical contexts, it translates to 'absence,' often referring to a loss of consciousness. More generally, it means 'absence' or 'lack'.
Does 'ausencia' change for gender or number?
No. 'Ausencia' is a feminine noun, but its form stays the same in singular and plural contexts. You change the article ('la' for singular, 'las' for plural).
Is 'ausencia' common in everyday Spanish?
While understood, it's more frequent in formal settings and medical contexts. In casual conversation, simpler words like 'falta' might be used for 'lack' or 'absence'.
Does 'ausencia' have slang or double meanings?
Not typically. It's a fairly straightforward term in Spanish.
Is 'ausencia' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
The meaning and usage of 'ausencia' are largely consistent across Spain and Latin America, particularly in medical contexts.

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