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

📅 Published: October 11, 2025

🩺 Medical Spanish

presión

noun • /[preh-SYON]/

pressure

Example:

Voy a tomarle la presión arterial.

I’m going to take your blood pressure.

🧠 What does presión mean?

Presión means pressure, particularly in a medical context. It refers to the force exerted on a surface or area, often relating to blood pressure (presión arterial), but can also apply to other types of pressure within the body. Understanding this term is vital for navigating medical situations in Spanish-speaking environments.

📚 Extra examples

  • El médico me tomó la presión.
    The doctor took my blood pressure.
  • Tengo la presión alta.
    I have high blood pressure.
  • Siento presión en el pecho.
    I feel pressure in my chest.
  • La presión arterial es la fuerza que ejerce la sangre contra las paredes de las arterias.
    Blood pressure is the force exerted by the blood against the walls of the arteries.
  • El enfermero aplicó presión a la herida.
    The nurse applied pressure to the wound.

💡 Did You Know?

The word 'presión' comes from the Latin word 'pressio', meaning 'a pressing'.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "presión"

Synonyms: tensión, fuerza

🔍 See more medical spanish words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'pressure' in Spanish?
The most common way to say 'pressure' in Spanish is 'presión.'
How do you pronounce 'presión' in Spanish?
Presión is pronounced preh-see-OHN, with the stress on the second syllable (OHN).
How do you use 'presión' in a sentence?
Here are some examples: 'El médico me tomó la presión' (The doctor took my blood pressure), or 'Siento presión en el pecho' (I feel pressure in my chest).
What is the English translation of 'presión'?
'Presión' translates to 'pressure' in English.
Does 'presión' change for gender or number?
No, 'presión' is a feminine noun and doesn't change its form for number (singular/plural). You would use the same word for one 'pressure' or multiple 'pressures.'
Is 'presión' common in everyday Spanish?
While most commonly used in medical contexts, 'presión' can also appear in everyday conversation, particularly when talking about feeling stressed or under pressure, e.g., 'Tengo mucha presión en el trabajo' (I have a lot of pressure at work).
Does 'presión' have slang or double meanings?
In some contexts, 'presión' can figuratively mean 'influence' or 'coercion,' similar to how we use 'pressure' in English. There aren't widely recognized slang terms for it.
Is 'presión' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
The meaning and usage of 'presión' are generally consistent across Spain and Latin America, particularly in its medical sense.

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