Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
What Does Cólicos Mean in English?
Cólicos · noun · KOH-lee-kohs
The Spanish word 'cólicos' translates to 'colic' or 'cramps' in English. In its singular form, 'cólico' describes a sharp, spasmodic pain, typically in the abdomen. It is commonly used to describe infant colic, menstrual cramps, or abdominal pain.
Pronounce it as KOH-lee-kohs, with three syllables and the stress on the first. The accent mark on the 'o' makes the stress pattern clear.
El bebé tiene cólicos desde anoche.
The baby has had colic since last night.
cólicos in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for cólicos, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| cólicos | cólicos | KOH-lee-kohs | Default, widely understood |
| cólico | cólicos | singular form |
How Native Speakers Use Cólicos
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Infant care
Los cólicos del bebé lo mantienen despierto toda la noche.
The baby's colic keeps him awake all night.
Discussing a common infant condition.
At the doctor
Tengo cólicos muy fuertes en el abdomen.
I have very strong cramps in my abdomen.
Describing symptoms to a doctor.
Menstrual cramps
Ella tomó una pastilla para aliviar los cólicos.
She took a pill to relieve the cramps.
Managing menstrual pain.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Cólicos
Accent omission
Incorrect: El bebe tiene colicos.
Correct: El bebé tiene cólicos.
Both 'bebé' and 'cólicos' carry accent marks that are essential for correct spelling and pronunciation in Spanish.
Wrong translation
Incorrect: She has colics in her stomach.
Correct: She has colic (or cramps) in her stomach.
In English, 'colic' is typically uncountable for the infant condition, and 'cramps' is the common term for abdominal pain — 'colics' is rarely used.
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Common Questions About cólicos in Spanish
- Does cólicos always mean colic in English?
- Depending on the context, 'cólicos' can translate as colic when referring to infant distress, or as cramps when describing menstrual or abdominal pain in adults.
- What is the singular form of cólicos?
- The singular form is 'cólico,' which refers to a single episode of cramping or colic, though the plural 'cólicos' is more commonly used in everyday speech.
- How do you distinguish menstrual cramps from baby colic in Spanish?
- Speakers typically say 'cólicos menstruales' for menstrual cramps and 'cólicos del bebé' or 'cólico del lactante' for infant colic to make the distinction clear.