What's the difference between 'náuseas' and 'mareado'?

The term 'náuseas' specifically refers to the stomach sensation of wanting to vomit, while 'mareado' is broader and can mean dizzy, lightheaded, or nauseous depending on context — in practice, many speakers use them interchangeably when feeling queasy.

How do I tell a doctor I feel nauseous in Spanish?

The clearest way to communicate nausea to a doctor is 'Tengo náuseas' or 'Siento náuseas,' which directly states the symptom without ambiguity, as opposed to 'estoy mareado' which could be interpreted as dizziness.

Is there a single-word adjective for 'nauseous' in Spanish?

Spanish doesn't commonly use a single adjective equivalent to 'nauseous' in everyday speech — instead, speakers rely on the phrases 'con náuseas,' 'tener náuseas,' or the versatile 'mareado' to express this physical sensation.

Spanish vocabulary · Beginner

How to Say Nauseous in Spanish

Written by Sofia Ramirez, Lead Spanish Curriculum Editor · Reviewed May 2026

Con Náuseas · adjective · kohn NOW-seh-ahs

To express feeling nauseous in Spanish, the most common phrase is 'tener náuseas' (to have nausea) or 'sentirse con náuseas' (to feel nauseous). The word 'mareado/a' is also widely used, though it can also mean dizzy. Unlike English, Spanish typically uses a noun phrase rather than a single adjective to convey this sensation.

The phrase 'con náuseas' is pronounced kohn NOW-seh-ahs. Note the accent on the first 'a' of 'náuseas' which places stress on that syllable.

Me siento con náuseas desde esta mañana.

I've been feeling nauseous since this morning.

Nauseous in Spanish: Quick Reference

Below are the most common Spanish words for nauseous, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.

Spanish	English	Pronunciation	Region / Register
con náuseas	nauseous	kohn NOW-seh-ahs	Default, widely understood
nauseabundo	nauseous		causing nausea
mareado	nauseous		general queasiness

How Native Speakers Use Con Náuseas

Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.

At the doctor

Doctor, tengo náuseas y no puedo comer nada.

Doctor, I feel nauseous and I can't eat anything.

Uses 'tener náuseas' which is the most direct medical way to express this symptom.

Motion sickness

Siempre me mareo cuando viajo en barco.

I always get nauseous when I travel by boat.

Uses 'marearse' which covers both nausea and dizziness from motion.

Pregnancy context

Las náuseas matutinas son muy comunes en el primer trimestre.

Morning sickness is very common in the first trimester.

Shows the term 'náuseas matutinas' as the standard translation for morning sickness.

Avoid These Mistakes When Using Con Náuseas

Using 'nauseoso' as an adjective

Incorrect: Estoy nauseoso.

Correct: Tengo náuseas. / Estoy mareado.

While 'nauseoso' exists in some dictionaries, it's rarely used in everyday Spanish. Native speakers say 'tener náuseas' or 'estar mareado' instead.

Confusing 'mareado' with only 'dizzy'

Incorrect: Estoy con náuseas — no, quiero decir mareado... no, son cosas diferentes.

Correct: Estoy mareado. (can mean nauseous OR dizzy)

In Spanish, 'mareado' covers both dizziness and nausea. Context determines the meaning, so you don't need to switch terms.

Lock in Nauseous 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 Con Náuseas used by native speakers

Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using con náuseas in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Me siento con náuseas desde esta mañana. 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 Nauseous in Spanish

What's the difference between 'náuseas' and 'mareado'?: The term 'náuseas' specifically refers to the stomach sensation of wanting to vomit, while 'mareado' is broader and can mean dizzy, lightheaded, or nauseous depending on context — in practice, many speakers use them interchangeably when feeling queasy.
How do I tell a doctor I feel nauseous in Spanish?: The clearest way to communicate nausea to a doctor is 'Tengo náuseas' or 'Siento náuseas,' which directly states the symptom without ambiguity, as opposed to 'estoy mareado' which could be interpreted as dizziness.
Is there a single-word adjective for 'nauseous' in Spanish?: Spanish doesn't commonly use a single adjective equivalent to 'nauseous' in everyday speech — instead, speakers rely on the phrases 'con náuseas,' 'tener náuseas,' or the versatile 'mareado' to express this physical sensation.