Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Sinus in Spanish: Seno
Seno · noun · SEH-noh
The anatomical term for sinus in Spanish is seno, but because seno also means breast or bosom, Spanish speakers usually say senos paranasales to specify the nasal sinuses. Sinusitis (sinus infection) is the same word in both languages. When visiting a doctor, specifying paranasales avoids any confusion.
Pronounce seno as SEH-noh, with the stress on the first syllable. Senos paranasales sounds like SEH-nohs pah-rah-nah-SAH-les.
Tengo los senos paranasales inflamados por la alergia.
My sinuses are inflamed because of allergies.
Sinus in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for sinus, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| seno | sinus | SEH-noh | Default, widely understood |
| seno paranasal | sinus | anatomical term for paranasal sinus | |
| sinusitis | sinus | sinus infection (same word in both languages) |
How Native Speakers Use Seno
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Visiting the doctor for sinus trouble
El médico me recetó un descongestionante para los senos paranasales.
The doctor prescribed me a decongestant for my sinuses.
Senos paranasales is the full anatomical term used in medical settings.
Describing sinus symptoms
Cada primavera me da sinusitis por el polen de los árboles.
Every spring I get sinusitis from tree pollen.
Sinusitis is an international medical term that works identically in Spanish.
Over-the-counter remedy
Compré un spray nasal porque siento mucha presión en los senos.
I bought a nasal spray because I feel a lot of pressure in my sinuses.
In casual speech, senos alone can mean sinuses when the context is clearly medical.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Seno
Using seno without paranasal in mixed company
Incorrect: Me duelen los senos. (intending sinuses)
Correct: Me duelen los senos paranasales.
Without the qualifier paranasales, senos will likely be understood as breasts, not sinuses. Always add paranasales to avoid the double meaning and potential embarrassment.
Inventing sinuso as a translation
Incorrect: Tengo problemas con mis sinusos.
Correct: Tengo problemas con mis senos paranasales.
Sinuso is not a Spanish word. The anatomical term is seno (plural senos). The only derivative that exists is sinusitis for the infection.
Lock in Sinus 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 Seno used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using seno in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Tengo los senos paranasales inflamados por la alergia. 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 Sinus in Spanish
- How do you say sinus in Spanish?
- The medical term is seno paranasal (plural: senos paranasales). Because seno alone also means breast, it is important to include paranasales when talking about nasal sinuses to avoid ambiguity.
- How do you say sinus infection in Spanish?
- Sinus infection in Spanish is sinusitis or infección de los senos paranasales. Sinusitis is the exact same word in both English and Spanish and is universally understood by Spanish-speaking medical professionals.
- Why does seno mean both sinus and breast?
- Seno comes from the Latin sinus, which originally meant a fold, curve, or cavity. Both the nasal cavities and the chest area fit this definition of a curved hollow space. Over time, the word took on both anatomical meanings in Spanish.