Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Bell's Palsy in Spanish
Parálisis de Bell · noun · pah-RAH-lee-sees deh Bell
Bell's palsy is translated as 'parálisis de Bell' in Spanish, referring to the condition that causes sudden, temporary weakness or paralysis of the facial muscles.
pah-RAH-lee-sees deh Bell
El médico le diagnosticó parálisis de Bell.
The doctor diagnosed him with Bell's palsy.
Bell's palsy in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for bell's palsy, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| parálisis de Bell | bell's palsy | pah-RAH-lee-sees deh Bell | Default, widely understood |
| parálisis facial | bell's palsy | Universal (broader term for facial paralysis) | |
| parálisis facial periférica | bell's palsy | Medical/clinical usage |
How Native Speakers Use Parálisis de Bell
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Medical consultation
La parálisis de Bell generalmente mejora en unas semanas.
Bell's palsy generally improves within a few weeks.
A doctor explaining prognosis to a patient.
Describing symptoms
Mi tía no podía cerrar un ojo debido a la parálisis de Bell.
My aunt couldn't close one eye due to Bell's palsy.
Describing a family member's experience with the condition.
Emergency room visit
Fui a urgencias porque pensé que era un derrame, pero resultó ser parálisis de Bell.
I went to the emergency room because I thought it was a stroke, but it turned out to be Bell's palsy.
Recounting a medical scare and receiving a diagnosis.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Parálisis de Bell
Omitting the accent
Incorrect: Le diagnosticaron paralisis de Bell.
Correct: Le diagnosticaron parálisis de Bell.
'Parálisis' is an esdrújula word (stressed on the antepenultimate syllable) and must carry a written accent on the first 'a.'
Using possessive form
Incorrect: Tiene la parálisis de Bell's.
Correct: Tiene parálisis de Bell.
Spanish does not use the English possessive 's. The condition is simply 'parálisis de Bell,' using the preposition 'de' to link the name.
Lock in Bell's palsy Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
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See Parálisis de Bell used by native speakers
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Common Questions About Bell's palsy in Spanish
- What is the difference between 'parálisis de Bell' and 'parálisis facial'?
- 'Parálisis de Bell' specifically refers to the idiopathic (unknown cause) form of facial paralysis. 'Parálisis facial' is a broader term that covers any type of facial paralysis, including those caused by stroke, tumors, or infections.
- Is 'Bell' translated into Spanish in this medical term?
- The name Bell is kept untranslated because it refers to Sir Charles Bell, the Scottish surgeon who first described the condition. Proper names in medical eponyms are never translated, so the term is parálisis de Bell across all Spanish-speaking regions.
- How would I tell a Spanish-speaking doctor about Bell's palsy symptoms?
- You could say 'Tengo la mitad de la cara paralizada' (Half of my face is paralyzed) or 'No puedo mover un lado de la cara' (I can't move one side of my face) to describe your symptoms clearly.