Spanish vocabulary · Intermediate
How to Say "Numb" in Spanish
Entumecido · adjective · en-too-meh-SEE-doh
Spanish uses different words depending on the type of numbness. *Entumecido/a* describes physical numbness from cold or poor circulation, *adormecido/a* refers to the tingling loss of sensation (like a limb "falling asleep"), and *insensible* captures emotional numbness.
en-too-meh-SEE-doh
Tengo los dedos entumecidos por el frío.
My fingers are numb from the cold.
Numb in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for numb, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| entumecido | numb | en-too-meh-SEE-doh | Default, widely understood |
| adormecido/a | numb | physical numbness, often from pressure or anesthesia | |
| insensible | numb | emotional numbness or lack of feeling |
How Native Speakers Use Entumecido
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Cold weather
Después de esquiar, tenía las manos entumecidas.
After skiing, my hands were numb.
Physical numbness caused by extreme cold.
After anesthesia
Todavía tengo el labio adormecido por la anestesia del dentista.
My lip is still numb from the dentist's anesthesia.
Tingling numbness following a dental procedure.
Emotional numbness
Se sentía insensible después de recibir la noticia.
She felt numb after receiving the news.
Emotional detachment following shocking information.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Entumecido
Using "número" for numb
Incorrect: Mi pierna está número.
Correct: Mi pierna está entumecida.
"Número" means "number" — it is unrelated to the English word "numb." Use "entumecida" for physical numbness.
Forgetting gender agreement
Incorrect: Mi mano está entumecido.
Correct: Mi mano está entumecida.
"Entumecido" must agree with the noun it describes. Since "mano" is feminine, use the feminine form "entumecida."
Lock in Numb 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 Entumecido used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using entumecido in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Tengo los dedos entumecidos por el frío. 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 Numb in Spanish
- What is the difference between "entumecido" and "adormecido"?
- "Entumecido" emphasizes stiffness and loss of mobility, often from cold. "Adormecido" focuses on the tingling, pins-and-needles sensation, as when a limb falls asleep.
- Can "insensible" mean physically numb?
- Technically yes, but it is far more common in the emotional sense. For physical numbness, native speakers strongly prefer "entumecido" or "adormecido."
- How do I say "my foot fell asleep" in Spanish?
- The natural expression is "se me durmió el pie" — literally, "my foot fell asleep on me." This is much more common than saying "mi pie está adormecido."