Spanish Health Care Phrases

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Dealing with Family Members

Dealing with Family Members by Saskia Gorospe Rombouts with Courtney Barbetto, RN

There is a strong possibility that Spanish-speaking patients may bring family members as moral support or to help them navigate the system. It is important that you address all of them and establish who is who. Patients may introduce their relatives by saying Este/a es mi …, followed by the noun that describes the relationship.

This is my son.

Este es mi hijo.

EHS-teh ehs mee EEH-hoh

This is Mr. Villa, my father.

Este es el señor Villa, mi padre.

EHS-teh ehs ehl seh-NYOHR VEE-yah, mee PAH-dreh

FAMILY MEMBERS

husband/wife	el/la esposo/a
ehl ehs-POH-soh/lah ehs-POH-sah
boyfriend/girlfriend	el/la novio/a
ehl/lah NOH-vee-oh/ah
fiancé/fiancée	el/la prometido/a
ehl/lah proh-meh-TEE-doh/dah
son/daughter	el/la hijo/a
ehl/lah EE-hoh/hah
father/mother	el padre/la madre
ehl PAH-dreh/lah MAH-dreh
brother/sister	el/la hermano/a
ehl/lah ehr-MAH-noh/nah
grandfather/	el/la abuelo/a
grandmother	ehl/lah ah-boo-EH-loh/lah
grandson/	el/la nieto/a
granddaughter	ehl/lah nee-EH-toh/tah
uncle/aunt	el/la tío/a
ehl/lah TEE-oh/ah
male cousin/	el/la primo/a
female cousin	ehl/lah PREE-moh/mah
nephew/niece	el/la sobrino/a
ehl/lah soh-BREE-noh/nah
father/mother-in-law	el/la suegro/a
ehl/lah see-EH-groh/grah
brother/sister-in-law	el/la cuñado/a
ehl/lah coo-NYAH-doh/dah
son/daughter-in law	el yerno/la nuera
ehl YEHR-noh/lah NOOEHR-ah
stepfather/	el padrastro/la madrastra
stepmother	ehl pah-DRAHS-troh/
lah mah-DRAHS-trah
stepbrother/	el/la hermanastro/a
stepsister	ehl/lah ehr-mah-NAHS-troh/trah
stepson/	el/la hijastro/a
stepsister	ehl/lah ee-HAHS-troh/trah

El padrino (ehl pah-DREE-noh), godfather, and la madrina (lah mah-DREE-nah), godmother, are sometimes also considered part of the family. Some people may find support in friends and/or members of their community.

friend	el/la amigo/a
ehl/lah ah-MEE-goh/gah
neighbor	el/la vecino/a
ehl/lah veh-SEE-noh/nah
coworker	el/la colega
ehl/lah koh-LEH-gah

If patients do not describe their relationship, you can ask:

What is your relationship?

¿Cuál es su relación?

coo-AHL ehs soo reh-lah-see-OHN

Are you relatives/family members?

¿Son ustedes familiares?

sohn oos-TEH-dehs fah-mee-lee-AH-rehs

Extended family plays an important role in some Spanish-speaking cultures. Mexican patients, for instance, may come accompanied by several relatives. You will need to decide what is acceptable for you as far as the participation of family members is concerned. Here are some phrases that will help you communicate your wishes. The verb changes according to whether the subject is singular or plural.

Please wait here.

Por favor, espere aquí. (addressing one person)

pohr fah-VOHR, ehs-PEH-reh ah-KEE

Please wait here.

Por favor, esperen aquí. (addressing more than one person)

Sorry. You cannot be here at the moment.

Lo siento. No puede estar aquí ahora.

(addressing one person)

loh see-EHN-toh. noh poo-EH-deh ehs-TAHR ah-KEE ah-OH-rah

Lo siento. No pueden estar aquí ahora.

(addressing more than one person)

loh see-EHN-toh. noh poo-EH-dehn ehs-TAHR ah-KEE ah-OH-rah

We will keep you informed.

Le mantendremos informado/a.

(addressing one person)

leh mahn-tehn-DREH-mohs een-fohr-MAH-doh/ah

Les mantendremos informados/as.

(addressing more than one person)

lehs mahn-tehn-DREH-mohs een-fohr-MAH-dos/as

Question?</h2> What should I say if people do not leave? Keep calm and be sensitive to their decision. If they absolutely must leave, you can explain that it is policy. You can say: Lo siento. Son las normas del hospital (loh see-EHN-toh. sohn lahs NOHR-mahs dehl ohs-pee-TAHL), which translates as “I'm sorry. It is hospital policy.” </div> <div class="npsb"> You can stay here. Puede quedarse aquí. (addressing one person) poo-EH-deh keh-DAHR-seh ah-KEE Pueden quedarse aquí. (addressing more than one person) poo-EH-dehn keh-DAHR-seh ah-KEE Visiting hours are from 2 <emphasis role="Smallcaps">P.M.</emphasis> to 6 <emphasis role="Smallcaps">P.M.</emphasis> Las horas de visita son de dos a seis. lahs OH-rahs deh vee-SEE-tah sohn deh dohs ah SEH-eehs </div> GIVING BASIC DIRECTIONS Whether you work at a large hospital or at a smaller doctor's office, chances are that at some point you are going to have to direct your patients to different places. Pointing always helps, but giving a set of simple directions will mean that you won't send them wandering around. Here are some expressions that will help you point people in the right direction. <div class="npsb"> What are you looking for? ¿Qué busca? kee BOOS-cah Where is … ? ¿Dónde está … ? DOHN-deh ehs-TAH You need to go to … Tiene que ir a … tee-EH-neh keh eer ah </div> PLACES <table frame="all" width="100%"> <h2> <tgroup cols="2"> <colspec colname="col1" colnum="1" colwidth="50%" colsep="0" rowsep="0" align="left"/> <colspec colname="col2" colnum="2" colwidth="50%" colsep="0" rowsep="0" align="left"/> <tbody> <tr> <td>bathroom</td> <td>los servicios (Sp.), el baño (Sp., Lat. Am.)</td> </tr> <tr> <entry/> <td>lohs sehr-BEE-see-ohs, ehl BAH-nyoh</td> </tr> <tr> <td>cafeteria</td> <td>la cafetería</td> </tr> <tr> <entry/> <td>lah cah-feh-teh-REE-ah</td> </tr> <tr> <td>chapel</td> <td>la capilla</td> </tr> <tr> <entry/> <td>lah cah-PEE-yah</td> </tr> <tr> <td>elevator</td> <td>el elevador (Lat. Am.), el ascensor (Sp.)</td> </tr> <tr> <entry/> <td>ehl eh-leh-vah-DOHR, ehl ahs-sehn-SOHR</td> </tr> <tr> <td>exit</td> <td>la salida</td> </tr> <tr> <entry/> <td>lah sah-LEE-dah</td> </tr> <tr> <td>intensive</td> <td>los cuidados intensivos</td> </tr> <tr> <td>care</td> <td>lohs coo-ee-DAH-dohs een-tehn-SEE-vohs</td> </tr> <tr> <td>emergency</td> <td>la sala de emergencia</td> </tr> <tr> <td>room</td> <td>lah SAH-lah deh eh-mehr-HEN-see-ah</td> </tr> <tr> <td>main lobby</td> <td>la sala principal</td> </tr> <tr> <entry/> <td>lah SAH-lah preen-see-PAHL</td> </tr> <tr> <td>maternity</td> <td>la sala de maternidad</td> </tr> <tr> <td>ward</td> <td>lah SAH-lah deh mah-tehr-nee-DAHD</td> </tr> <tr> <td>parking lot</td> <td>el estacionamiento</td> </tr> <tr> <entry/> <td>ehl ehs-tah-see-oh-nah-mee-EHN-toh</td> </tr> <tr> <td>recovery</td> <td>la sala de recuperación</td> </tr> <tr> <td>room</td> <td>lah SAH-lah deh reh-coo-peh-</td> </tr> <tr> <entry/> <td>rah-see-OHN</td> </tr> <tr> <td>reception</td> <td>el área de recepción, la recepción</td> </tr> <tr> <td>area</td> <td>ehl AH-reh-ah deh reh-sep-see-OHN,</td> </tr> <tr> <entry/> <td>lah reh-sep-see-OHN</td> </tr> <tr> <td>waiting room</td> <td>la sala de espera</td> </tr> <tr> <entry/> <td>lah SAH-lah de ehs-PEH-rah</td> </tr> </tbody> </tgroup> </table> If you work at a hospital, people may be looking for specific centers. Use el centro de … to name the center. <table frame="all" width="100%"> <tgroup cols="2"> <colspec colname="col1" colnum="1" colwidth="50%" colsep="0" rowsep="0" align="left"/> <colspec colname="col2" colnum="2" colwidth="50%" colsep="0" rowsep="0" align="left"/> <tbody> <tr> <td>cancer</td> <td>el centro de cáncer</td> </tr> <tr> <td>center</td> <td>ehl SEHN-troh deh CAN-sehr</td> </tr> <tr> <td>orthopedic</td> <td>el centro de ortopedia</td> </tr> <tr> <td>center</td> <td>ehl SEHN-troh deh ohr-toh-PEH-dee-ah</td> </tr> <tr> <td>dialysis</td> <td>el centro de diálisis</td> </tr> <tr> <td>center</td> <td>ehl SEHN-troh deh dee-AH-lee-sees</td> </tr> <tr> <td>blood donor</td> <td>el centro de donaciones de sangre</td> </tr> <tr> <td>center</td> <td>ehl SEHN-troh deh don-nah-see-OH-nehs</td> </tr> <tr> <entry/> <td>deh SAHN-greh</td> </tr> </tbody> </tgroup> </table> <div class="npsb"> <title> Alert!</h2> There is more than one Spanish option for some place words. Restrooms can be el baño, el cuarto de baño, or el servicio (used mainly in Spain). An elevator is an ascensor in Spain but an elevador in Latin America. People who have been in the United States for a while may use some English words, such as el parking (parking lot) and el lobby (main lobby). </div> Now that you know the names of some places, let's get to the basic directions. The place you refer a patient to may be in a different piso (floor). <div class="npsb"> It is on the first floor. Está en el primer piso. ehs-TAH ehn ehl pree-MEHR PEE-soh It is on the fifth floor. Está en el quinto piso. ehs-TAH ehn ehl KEEN-toh PEE-soh </div> ORDINAL NUMBERS <table frame="all" width="100%"> <h2> <tgroup cols="2"> <colspec colname="col1" colnum="1" colwidth="50%" colsep="0" rowsep="0" align="left"/> <colspec colname="col2" colnum="2" colwidth="50%" colsep="0" rowsep="0" align="left"/> <tbody> <tr> <td>first</td> <td>primer</td> </tr> <tr> <entry/> <td>pree-MEH-roh</td> </tr> <tr> <td>second</td> <td>segundo</td> </tr> <tr> <entry/> <td>seh-GOON-doh</td> </tr> <tr> <td>third</td> <td>tercer</td> </tr> <tr> <entry/> <td>tehr-SEHR</td> </tr> <tr> <td>fourth</td> <td>cuarto</td> </tr> <tr> <entry/> <td>KWAR-toh</td> </tr> <tr> <td>fifth</td> <td>quinto</td> </tr> <tr> <entry/> <td>KEEN-toh</td> </tr> <tr> <td>sixth</td> <td>sexto</td> </tr> <tr> <entry/> <td>SEX-toh</td> </tr> <tr> <td>seventh</td> <td>séptimo</td> </tr> <tr> <entry/> <td>SEP-tee-moh</td> </tr> <tr> <td>eighth</td> <td>octavo</td> </tr> <tr> <entry/> <td>ohc-TAH-voh</td> </tr> <tr> <td>ninth</td> <td>noveno</td> </tr> <tr> <entry/> <td>noh-VEH-noh</td> </tr> <tr> <td>tenth</td> <td>décimo</td> </tr> <tr> <entry/> <td>DEH-see-moh</td> </tr> </tbody> </tgroup> </table> <div class="npsb"> <title> Alert!</h2> Some people may get confused by the American definition of “first floor.” The first floor in the United States is considered the planta baja (ground floor) in other countries, while the second floor in the United States would be el primer piso, the “first floor.” </div> After the tenth floor, people often refer to the floor using el piso followed by the number: el piso once (eleventh floor), el piso doce (twelfth floor), el piso veinte (twentieth floor), etc. Now that you know where people want to go, here are some basic directions that may come in handy: <div class="npsb"> To go to … keep straight. Para ir a … siga derecho. PAH-rah eer ah … SEE-gah deh-REH-choh Go right/left. Doble a la derecha/izquierda. DOH-bleh ah lah deh-REH-chah/ees-kee-EHR-dah Go two floors up. Suba dos pisos. SOO-bah dohs PEE-sohs Go up to the twentieth floor. Suba al piso veinte. SOO-bah ahl PEE-soh veh-EEN-teh Go down to the third floor. Baje al tercer piso. BAH-heh ahl tehr-SEHR PEE-soh </div> You've learned to introduce yourself, to say what you do, engage in small talk, and send patients where they need to go. The next chapter will address dealing with patients.  <div id="pagination"><ul><li class="prev"><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/spanish-phrases-health-care/introductions/dealing-with-patients.htm" title="Dealing with Patients">Dealing with Patients</a></li><li class="next"><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/spanish-phrases-health-care/patients/" title="Patients">Patients</a> </li></ul></div></div> <div id="coda"> <div id="rel"><div class="n5">Related Articles</div><ul> <li><a href="http://esl.about.com/od/intermediateconversation/a/Asking-Directions.htm" zT="18/1YL/Zn"> Asking Directions - ESL Instruction for Asking Directions in English </a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/spanish-phrases/introduce-yourself/before-you-begin.htm" zT="18/1YL/Zn"> Before You Begin - Spanish Phrases </a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/spanish-phrases/on-the-move/means-of-transportation.htm" zT="18/1YL/Zn"> Means of Transportation - Spanish Phrases </a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/spanish-phrases/at-the-hotel/checking-in-checking-out.htm" zT="18/1YL/Zn"> Checking In, Checking Out - Spanish Phrases </a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/schizophrenia/support-for-the-caregiver/problems-of-the-caregiver.htm" zT="18/1YL/Zn"> Problems of the Caregiver - Schizophrenia </a></li> </ul></div> <div id="sec"><div class="n5">Read More Introductions</div><ul><ul class="col1"><li ><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/spanish-phrases-health-care/introductions/medical-personnel.htm">Medical Personnel</a></li> <li ><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/spanish-phrases-health-care/introductions/dealing-with-patients.htm">Dealing with Patients</a></li> </ul><ul class="col2"><li class="btO">Dealing with Family Members</li> </ul></ul></div> </div> <script>if(zSbL<1)zSbL=3;zSB(2);zSbL=0</script> </div> <div id="widgets"><script type="text/javascript">if(z336>0){w('<div 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id="toc" class="pane"><div class="n3">Spanish Health Care Phrases Sections</div><ul><li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/spanish-phrases-health-care/the-top-ten-spanish-phrases-you-should-know/">The Top 10 Spanish Phrases You Should Know</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/spanish-phrases-health-care/communicating-in-spanish/">Communicating in Spanish</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/spanish-phrases-health-care/introductions/">Introductions</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/spanish-phrases-health-care/patients/">Patients</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/spanish-phrases-health-care/body-parts-pains-and-symptoms/">Body Parts, Pains, and Symptoms</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/spanish-phrases-health-care/tests-and-procedures/">Tests and Procedures</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/spanish-phrases-health-care/diagnosis-and-medications/">Diagnosis and Medications</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/spanish-phrases-health-care/breaking-the-news/">Breaking the News</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/spanish-phrases-health-care/surgery/">Surgery</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/spanish-phrases-health-care/obgyn-and-pediatrics/">OB/GYN and Pediatrics</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/spanish-phrases-health-care/emergency/">Emergency</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/spanish-phrases-health-care/mental-health/">Mental Health</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/spanish-phrases-health-care/english-spanish-dictionary/">English-Spanish Dictionary</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/spanish-phrases-health-care/spanish-english-dictionary/">Spanish-English Dictionary</a></li> </ul></div></div> <script type="text/javascript">zCi();validateForms();</script> <div id="abf" style="padding-right:0"><ol class="crumbtrail"><li class="home"><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/">Home</a></li><li><a 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