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

📅 Published: November 7, 2025

🩺 Medical Spanish

padecimiento

noun • /[pa-de-see-MYEN-to]/

condition

Example:

Tiene un padecimiento crónico.

He has a chronic condition.

🧠 What does padecimiento mean?

A masculine noun that refers to a health condition, ailment, or illness, particularly one that is chronic or causes suffering. It stems from the verb 'padecer' (to suffer or endure), giving it a stronger connotation of enduring a difficult health problem than the more neutral word 'condición'. It is often used in formal or clinical settings to describe long-term diseases or persistent health issues.

📚 Extra examples

  • La artritis es un padecimiento que causa dolor e inflamación en las articulaciones.
    Arthritis is a condition that causes pain and inflammation in the joints.
  • El médico necesita conocer todos sus padecimientos para ofrecer un diagnóstico preciso.
    The doctor needs to know all of your ailments to offer an accurate diagnosis.
  • Llevaba años lidiando con un padecimiento respiratorio.
    He had been dealing with a respiratory condition for years.

💡 Did You Know?

The word 'padecimiento' is directly derived from the verb 'padecer', which means 'to suffer' or 'to endure'. This connection is key to its meaning; unlike the neutral term 'condición', 'padecimiento' inherently emphasizes the element of suffering or hardship experienced by the person with the health issue.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "padecimiento"

Synonyms: enfermedad, dolencia, afección, mal, sufrimiento
Opposites: salud, bienestar, alivio, cura

🔍 See more medical spanish words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'condition' in Spanish?
The most direct translation for 'condition' is 'condición'. However, 'padecimiento' is also used, specifically for a medical condition that implies suffering. Other alternatives include 'enfermedad' (illness/disease) and 'afección' (affection/disorder).
How do you pronounce 'padecimiento' in Spanish?
The pronunciation is pa-deh-see-MYEN-toh. The stress falls on the second-to-last syllable, 'mien'.
How do you use 'padecimiento' in a sentence?
It is used to refer to a specific health ailment, for example: 'Su padecimiento cardíaco requiere un tratamiento especializado.' (His heart condition requires specialized treatment.)
What is the English translation of 'padecimiento'?
The English translation is typically 'condition', 'ailment', or 'suffering'. 'Ailment' often captures the nuance of a persistent, though not always severe, health problem.
Does 'padecimiento' change for gender or number?
'Padecimiento' is a masculine noun. It has a plural form, 'padecimientos', used when referring to multiple ailments. For example: 'Trata varios padecimientos a la vez.' (He treats several conditions at once.)
Is 'padecimiento' common in everyday Spanish?
It is more common in formal, medical, or written contexts. In casual conversation, speakers might prefer simpler terms like 'enfermedad' (illness) or 'problema de salud' (health problem).
Does 'padecimiento' have slang or double meanings?
No, 'padecimiento' does not have any common slang uses or double meanings. It is a formal word used consistently to refer to suffering or illness.
Is 'padecimiento' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
Its use is consistent across the Spanish-speaking world. It is universally understood in formal and medical contexts as a serious health condition or ailment.

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