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

📅 Published: November 15, 2025

🩺 Medical Spanish

síntoma

noun • /[SEEN-to-ma]/

symptom

Example:

¿Cuál fue el primer síntoma?

What was the first symptom?

🧠 What does síntoma mean?

A 'síntoma' is a physical or mental sign that indicates the presence of a disease or an abnormal condition. It can be a subjective experience felt by the patient, such as pain or fatigue, or an objective sign observable by others, like a rash or fever. Figuratively, it can also refer to a sign or indication of a larger problem.

📚 Extra examples

  • La fiebre es un síntoma común de muchas infecciones.
    Fever is a common symptom of many infections.
  • El médico me preguntó sobre la duración de mis síntomas.
    The doctor asked me about the duration of my symptoms.
  • La pérdida del apetito puede ser un síntoma de estrés.
    Loss of appetite can be a symptom of stress.
  • Es crucial describir los síntomas con precisión al doctor.
    It is crucial to describe the symptoms accurately to the doctor.

💡 Did You Know?

Like many Spanish words of Greek origin ending in '-ma', such as 'problema' or 'idioma', 'síntoma' is a masculine noun despite its 'a' ending. This is a common grammatical pattern worth noting.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "síntoma"

Synonyms: señal, indicio, manifestación
Opposites: causa, origen

🔍 See more medical spanish words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'symptom' in Spanish?
The word for 'symptom' in Spanish is 'síntoma'.
How do you pronounce 'síntoma' in Spanish?
The word 'síntoma' is pronounced 'SEEN-toh-mah'. The stress falls on the first syllable, 'sín', which is indicated by the accent mark.
How do you use 'síntoma' in a sentence?
It is used to describe an indication of illness. For example: 'Uno de los síntomas principales es el dolor de cabeza' (One of the main symptoms is a headache).
What is the English translation of 'síntoma'?
The English translation of 'síntoma' is 'symptom'.
Does 'síntoma' change for gender or number?
'Síntoma' is a masculine noun, so it uses masculine articles like 'el' and 'un'. The plural form is 'síntomas'. For example, 'el síntoma' (the symptom) and 'los síntomas' (the symptoms).
Is 'síntoma' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, 'síntoma' is a very common and essential word in Spanish, used frequently in conversations about health, medicine, and general well-being.
Does 'síntoma' have slang or double meanings?
Its primary meaning is medical. However, it is often used figuratively to mean 'a sign' or 'an indication' of a problem, such as 'La baja participación electoral es un síntoma de descontento social' (Low voter turnout is a symptom of social discontent). It does not have common slang meanings.
Is 'síntoma' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
The word 'síntoma' is standard and used consistently with the same meaning across all Spanish-speaking countries. There are no significant regional variations.

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