Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Heartburn in Spanish: Acidez
Acidez · noun · ah-see-DETH (Spain) / ah-see-DES (Latin America)
Heartburn translates to acidez (estomacal) in Spanish. Regional alternatives include agruras in Mexico and ardor de estómago in Spain.
ah-see-DETH in Castilian Spanish; ah-see-DES in Latin American Spanish.
Después de cenar tan tarde, me dio acidez.
After eating dinner so late, I got heartburn.
heartburn in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for heartburn, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| acidez | heartburn | ah-see-DETH (Spain) / ah-see-DES (Latin America) | Default, widely understood |
| agruras | heartburn | Mexico | |
| ardor de estómago | heartburn | Spain | |
| acedía | heartburn | some South American countries |
How Native Speakers Use Acidez
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
At the pharmacy
¿Tiene algo para la acidez estomacal?
Do you have anything for heartburn?
A practical phrase for buying antacids at a farmacia.
Describing symptoms (Mexico)
Las agruras no me dejaron dormir anoche.
The heartburn wouldn't let me sleep last night.
Agruras is the preferred term in Mexican Spanish.
Talking to a doctor
Doctor, tengo un ardor de estómago que no se me quita.
Doctor, I have heartburn that won't go away.
Ardor de estómago is commonly used in Spain and formal medical contexts.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Acidez
Literal translation trap
Incorrect: Tengo quemadura de corazón.
Correct: Tengo acidez estomacal.
Heartburn has nothing to do with the heart in Spanish. Translating it literally as quemadura de corazón would confuse native speakers.
Confusing acidez with acidity in general
Incorrect: La acidez de este limón es muy alta.
Correct: La acidez de este limón es muy alta. / Tengo acidez estomacal.
Acidez on its own can mean acidity in a chemistry or food context. To specify heartburn, add estomacal or rely on context about symptoms.
Lock in heartburn Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Acidez used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using acidez in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Después de cenar tan tarde, me dio acidez. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About heartburn in Spanish
- Which word for heartburn will be understood everywhere?
- Acidez estomacal is the most universally understood term across all Spanish-speaking countries, even if locals may prefer a regional synonym.
- Is agruras only used in Mexico?
- Agruras is predominantly Mexican, though it may be understood in parts of Central America. Outside those regions, acidez or ardor de estómago are safer choices.
- Can I just say acidez without estomacal?
- Yes, in a conversation about health or symptoms, saying tengo acidez is usually enough. The word estomacal simply clarifies that you mean stomach acid reflux rather than general acidity.