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

📅 Published: February 20, 2026

🩺 Medical Spanish

ronquera

noun • /[ron-KE-ra]/

hoarseness

Example:

La ronquera no se me quita.

The hoarseness won’t go away.

🧠 What does ronquera mean?

Ronquera is a noun that refers to the quality of having a rough, harsh, or raspy voice. This condition is commonly caused by inflammation or irritation of the vocal cords due to factors like a cold, laryngitis, allergies, or overuse of the voice.

📚 Extra examples

  • Después de gritar en el concierto, tenía una ronquera terrible.
    After shouting at the concert, I had terrible hoarseness.
  • La ronquera puede ser un síntoma de laringitis.
    Hoarseness can be a symptom of laryngitis.
  • Hablaba con una ligera ronquera a causa del resfriado.
    He spoke with a slight hoarseness due to the cold.
  • El médico me preguntó cuánto tiempo llevaba con la ronquera.
    The doctor asked me how long I had had the hoarseness.

💡 Did You Know?

The noun 'ronquera' is directly related to the adjective 'ronco' (or 'ronca' for feminine), which means 'hoarse'. While you would say 'Tengo ronquera' (I have hoarseness), you could also say 'Estoy ronco/a' (I am hoarse) or 'Tengo la voz ronca' (I have a hoarse voice).

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "ronquera"

Synonyms: carraspera, afonía
Opposites: claridad de voz, voz clara

🔍 See more medical spanish words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'hoarseness' in Spanish?
The most common and direct translation for 'hoarseness' in Spanish is 'ronquera'.
How do you pronounce 'ronquera' in Spanish?
The pronunciation is /ronˈke.ɾa/. The stress falls on the second syllable, 'que'. It sounds like: rrohn-KEH-rah, with a tapped 'r' sound.
How do you use 'ronquera' in a sentence?
It is typically used with the verb 'tener' (to have). For example: 'Tengo ronquera por hablar tanto' (I have hoarseness from talking so much).
What is the English translation of 'ronquera'?
The English translation of 'ronquera' is 'hoarseness' or 'raspiness'.
Does 'ronquera' change for gender or number?
'Ronquera' is a feminine noun ('la ronquera'). As an uncountable noun describing a condition, it is almost always used in the singular form.
Is 'ronquera' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, 'ronquera' is the standard and widely used term for hoarseness in both everyday conversation and medical contexts across the Spanish-speaking world.
Does 'ronquera' have slang or double meanings?
No, 'ronquera' does not have any common slang or secondary meanings. Its use is limited to describing the quality of a person's voice.
Is 'ronquera' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
The term 'ronquera' is used consistently throughout Spain and Latin America with the same meaning and no significant regional variations.

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