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

📅 Published: November 3, 2025

🩺 Medical Spanish

complicación

noun • /[kom-plee-ka-SYON]/

complication

Example:

No hubo ninguna complicación durante la cirugía.

There were no complications during the surgery.

🧠 What does complicación mean?

A 'complicación' is a difficulty, problem, or secondary condition that arises unexpectedly and makes a situation more complex or harder to resolve. While it is a direct cognate of the English 'complication' and very common in medical contexts to describe an adverse development in a disease or after a procedure, it is also used more broadly to refer to any unforeseen setback or obstacle in a plan, project, or process.

📚 Extra examples

  • La diabetes puede causar serias complicaciones si no se controla adecuadamente.
    Diabetes can cause serious complications if not managed properly.
  • Surgió una complicación con la logística y el envío se retrasará.
    A complication arose with the logistics, and the shipment will be delayed.
  • Afortunadamente, la operación se realizó sin ninguna complicación.
    Fortunately, the operation was performed without any complications.

💡 Did You Know?

The word 'complicación' comes from the Latin verb 'complicāre', which means 'to fold together'. This origin aptly reflects the idea of new problems becoming interwoven with an existing situation, making it more intricate and difficult to manage.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "complicación"

Synonyms: dificultad, problema, contratiempo, obstáculo, inconveniente
Opposites: facilidad, solución, mejora, simplificación, ventaja

🔍 See more medical spanish words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'complication' in Spanish?
The most direct and common way to say 'complication' in Spanish is 'complicación'.
How do you pronounce 'complicación' in Spanish?
The pronunciation is kom-plee-ka-SYON. The stress falls on the final syllable, which is indicated by the accent mark on the 'o'.
How do you use 'complicación' in a sentence?
You can use it to describe a new problem. For example: 'El médico está monitoreando al paciente para prevenir cualquier complicación.' (The doctor is monitoring the patient to prevent any complication.)
What is the English translation of 'complicación'?
The English translation of 'complicación' is 'complication'.
Does 'complicación' change for gender or number?
Yes, 'complicación' is a feminine noun. The singular form is 'la complicación', and the plural form is 'las complicaciones'.
Is 'complicación' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, it is common in both formal settings, such as medicine and law, and in everyday conversation to refer to any new problem that makes a situation more difficult.
Does 'complicación' have slang or double meanings?
No, 'complicación' generally does not have any common slang or secondary meanings. Its use is quite direct and consistent with its formal definition.
Is 'complicación' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
No, the word 'complicación' is used with the same meaning and in similar contexts throughout the Spanish-speaking world.

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