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

📅 Published: December 31, 2025

🩺 Medical Spanish

rigidez

noun • /[ree-hee-DES]/

stiffness

Example:

Siente rigidez en las articulaciones.

She feels stiffness in her joints.

🧠 What does rigidez mean?

Rigidez refers to the quality of being stiff, inflexible, or resistant to bending. In a medical context, it describes a lack of suppleness in muscles, joints, or other body parts, often causing limited movement and discomfort. Beyond medicine, 'rigidez' is also used figuratively to describe a lack of adaptability or a strict adherence to rules, ideas, or methods.

📚 Extra examples

  • El paciente se queja de rigidez en el cuello por la mañana.
    The patient complains of stiffness in his neck in the morning.
  • La rigidez muscular es un síntoma común de ciertas enfermedades neurológicas.
    Muscle rigidity is a common symptom of certain neurological diseases.
  • La rigidez del nuevo sistema ha generado críticas entre los usuarios.
    The rigidity of the new system has generated criticism among users.
  • A veces, su rigidez mental le impide considerar otras perspectivas.
    Sometimes, his mental rigidity prevents him from considering other perspectives.
  • El ingeniero probó la rigidez de los materiales antes de la construcción.
    The engineer tested the stiffness of the materials before construction.

💡 Did You Know?

The word 'rigidez' comes from the Latin 'rigidus', meaning stiff or hard. This same root gives English words like 'rigid' and 'rigor'. The Spanish suffix '-ez' is often used to create abstract nouns from adjectives, similar to how '-ness' or '-ity' function in English (from 'rígido' to 'rigidez').

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "rigidez"

Synonyms: dureza, inflexibilidad, tensión, entumecimiento, severidad, intransigencia
Opposites: flexibilidad, elasticidad, movilidad, soltura, laxitud

🔍 See more medical spanish words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'stiffness' in Spanish?
The most common and direct translation for 'stiffness' is 'rigidez'. For muscle soreness after exercise, the term 'agujetas' is also frequently used.
How do you pronounce 'rigidez' in Spanish?
The pronunciation is /ri.xiˈdeθ/ in Castilian Spanish (with the 'z' as 'th') or /ri.xiˈdes/ in Latin American Spanish (with the 'z' as 's'). The stress falls on the final syllable, '-dez'.
How do you use 'rigidez' in a sentence?
An example sentence is: 'Después de la cirugía, sentía mucha rigidez en la rodilla.' This translates to: 'After the surgery, I felt a lot of stiffness in my knee.'
What is the English translation of 'rigidez'?
The primary English translations are 'stiffness' and 'rigidity'.
Does 'rigidez' change for gender or number?
'Rigidez' is a feminine noun, so it uses feminine articles like 'la' or 'una'. The plural form is 'rigideces', though it is less common than the singular.
Is 'rigidez' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, it is quite common, especially when discussing physical ailments like neck or back stiffness ('rigidez de cuello'). It is also used regularly in more formal or professional contexts to talk about rules, systems, or people's attitudes.
Does 'rigidez' have slang or double meanings?
No, 'rigidez' does not have common slang meanings. Its use is consistent, referring either to physical stiffness or figurative inflexibility.
Is 'rigidez' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
The meaning and application of 'rigidez' are the same throughout the Spanish-speaking world. The only notable regional difference is the pronunciation of the final 'z'.

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