Spanish vocabulary · Intermediate
How to Say Sinus Infection in Spanish: Sinusitis
Sinusitis · noun (feminine) · see-noo-SEE-tees
Sinus infection in Spanish is sinusitis — the same medical term used internationally. For a more descriptive, everyday explanation, you can say infección de los senos nasales. The sinuses themselves are called senos nasales or senos paranasales.
see-noo-SEE-tees — four syllables with stress on the third.
El doctor me diagnosticó sinusitis.
The doctor diagnosed me with a sinus infection.
Sinus Infection in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for sinus infection, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| sinusitis | sinus infection | see-noo-SEE-tees | Default, widely understood |
| infección de los senos nasales | sinus infection | descriptive, everyday language | |
| infección sinusal | sinus infection | medical, formal |
How Native Speakers Use Sinusitis
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Doctor visit
Llevo una semana con sinusitis y dolor de cabeza.
I've had a sinus infection and headache for a week.
Sinusitis is the most concise way to describe this condition to a doctor.
Describing symptoms
Tengo los senos nasales inflamados y mucha presión en la cara.
My sinuses are inflamed and I have a lot of pressure in my face.
Senos nasales inflamados describes the underlying condition in lay terms.
Pharmacy context
¿Qué me recomienda para la sinusitis?
What do you recommend for a sinus infection?
At a pharmacy (farmacia), sinusitis is immediately understood.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Sinusitis
Saying infección de sinus
Incorrect: Tengo una infección de sinus.
Correct: Tengo sinusitis. / Tengo una infección de los senos nasales.
Sinus is English. In Spanish, the sinuses are senos nasales or senos paranasales. The condition itself is simply sinusitis.
Confusing senos nasales with senos (breasts)
Incorrect: Me duelen los senos. (intending: sinuses)
Correct: Me duelen los senos nasales.
Senos alone typically means breasts in Spanish. Always say senos nasales or senos paranasales when referring to sinuses to avoid confusion.
Lock in Sinus Infection 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 Sinusitis used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using sinusitis in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear El doctor me diagnosticó sinusitis. 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 Infection in Spanish
- How do you say sinus infection in Spanish?
- The medical term is sinusitis. In everyday speech, you can also say infección de los senos nasales.
- What are sinuses called in Spanish?
- Senos nasales or senos paranasales. These are the air-filled cavities in the skull around the nose.
- How do you describe sinus symptoms in Spanish?
- Congestión nasal (nasal congestion), presión en la cara (facial pressure), dolor de cabeza (headache), and mucosidad (mucus) are the key terms.