Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Injuries in Spanish: Lesiones
Lesiones · noun · leh-SYOH-nehs
Lesiones is the plural of lesión, the broad Spanish term covering all types of physical injuries from sports strains to accident trauma. Spanish distinguishes between lesiones (general injuries, including internal damage) and heridas (wounds involving broken skin or bleeding). Understanding which term to use helps you communicate clearly in medical emergencies and everyday health conversations.
Lesiones is stressed on the second-to-last syllable: leh-SYOH-nehs. The singular lesión carries an accent mark and is stressed on the final syllable: leh-SYOHN.
El jugador se retiró del partido debido a sus lesiones en la rodilla.
The player left the match due to his knee injuries.
Injuries in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for injuries, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| lesiones | injuries | leh-SYOH-nehs | Default, widely understood |
| heridas | injuries | specifically for wounds or cuts | |
| lastimaduras | injuries | informal, common in Argentina and Uruguay |
How Native Speakers Use Lesiones
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Sports context
Las lesiones musculares son comunes entre los corredores de maratón.
Muscle injuries are common among marathon runners.
Lesiones musculares is the standard term in sports medicine.
Emergency room
El accidente dejó a tres personas con heridas graves.
The accident left three people with serious injuries.
Heridas emphasizes open wounds or visible physical damage.
Workplace safety
Usen el equipo de protección para evitar lesiones laborales.
Wear protective equipment to prevent workplace injuries.
Lesiones laborales is the official term in occupational safety.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Lesiones
Confusing lesión with lección
Incorrect: El futbolista tiene una lección en el tobillo.
Correct: El futbolista tiene una lesión en el tobillo.
Lección means lesson, while lesión means injury — a single letter difference that completely changes the meaning and could cause confusion in medical settings.
Using herida for internal injuries
Incorrect: Tiene una herida en el ligamento.
Correct: Tiene una lesión en el ligamento.
Herida specifically implies a wound with broken skin; for internal injuries like ligament tears, lesión is the medically appropriate term.
Lock in Injuries 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 Lesiones used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using lesiones in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear El jugador se retiró del partido debido a sus lesiones en la rodilla. 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 Injuries in Spanish
- What is the difference between 'lesión' and 'herida'?
- Lesión is the umbrella term for any type of physical damage to the body, including sprains, fractures, and internal injuries. Herida specifically refers to wounds where the skin is broken — cuts, gashes, punctures, or lacerations. A sprained ankle is a lesión but not a herida, while a knife cut is both a herida and a lesión.
- How do you say 'I got injured' in Spanish?
- The most natural expressions are me lesioné (I injured myself, often used for sports or significant injuries) and me lastimé (I hurt myself, more casual and general). In an emergency, decir me herí indicates you sustained a wound, which will immediately signal urgency to medical personnel.
- What does 'lesiones' mean in a legal context?
- In Spanish law, lesiones refers to the criminal offense of causing bodily harm to another person. The charge of lesiones can range from minor (lesiones leves) to serious (lesiones graves), and the legal classification depends on the severity of the physical damage and the intent behind the act.