Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Sprained Ankle in Spanish: Tobillo Torcido
Tobillo Torcido · noun · toh-BEE-yoh tohr-SEE-doh
A sprained ankle is expressed as tobillo torcido in everyday Spanish or esguince de tobillo in medical terminology. The verb torcerse (to twist/sprain) is how you describe the action of spraining: 'me torcí el tobillo' (I sprained my ankle). Esguince is the clinical noun for a sprain or ligament injury.
Tobillo: toh-BEE-yoh (the 'll' makes a 'y' sound in most regions). Torcido: tohr-SEE-doh. Together they flow as a natural descriptive phrase.
Me torcí el tobillo jugando fútbol ayer.
I sprained my ankle playing soccer yesterday.
sprained ankle in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for sprained ankle, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| tobillo torcido | sprained ankle | toh-BEE-yoh tohr-SEE-doh | Default, widely understood |
| esguince de tobillo | sprained ankle | medical term used by doctors |
How Native Speakers Use Tobillo Torcido
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
sports injury
La jugadora no puede competir porque tiene un esguince de tobillo.
The player can't compete because she has a sprained ankle.
Esguince de tobillo is the medical diagnosis.
describing the incident
Me torcí el tobillo bajando las escaleras y ahora está hinchado.
I sprained my ankle going down the stairs and now it's swollen.
Torcerse el tobillo describes the action of spraining.
seeking help
Creo que tengo el tobillo torcido — ¿me puedes llevar a urgencias?
I think I have a sprained ankle — can you take me to the ER?
Tobillo torcido works in casual conversation.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Tobillo Torcido
using roto for sprained
Incorrect: Me rompí el tobillo corriendo. (meaning sprain)
Correct: Me torcí el tobillo corriendo.
Romperse means 'to break' and implies a bone fracture — a sprain (twist/ligament injury) is far less severe and uses torcerse.
sprainado invention
Incorrect: Tengo el tobillo sprainado.
Correct: Tengo el tobillo torcido.
Sprainado does not exist in Spanish — the correct adjective for a sprained joint is torcido (twisted) or esguinzado in some medical contexts.
Lock in sprained ankle 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 Tobillo Torcido used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using tobillo torcido in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Me torcí el tobillo jugando fútbol ayer. 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 sprained ankle in Spanish
- What is the difference between torcido and esguince?
- Torcido is the everyday adjective meaning 'twisted' or 'sprained,' while esguince is the medical noun for the specific ligament injury. Saying 'tengo el tobillo torcido' is like saying 'my ankle is sprained,' while 'tengo un esguince' is like saying 'I have a sprain.'
- How do I tell a doctor about a sprained ankle in Spanish?
- At the emergency room, say 'Me torcí el tobillo' (I twisted my ankle) or 'Creo que tengo un esguince de tobillo' (I think I have an ankle sprain). The doctor will likely use esguince in their diagnosis.
- Can torcerse be used for other body parts?
- Torcerse works for any joint that can be sprained or twisted: me torcí la muñeca (I sprained my wrist), se torció la rodilla (she twisted her knee). It is the universal verb for spraining any joint in Spanish.