Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Strep Throat in Spanish
Faringitis estreptocócica · noun · fah-reen-HEE-tees ehs-trep-toh-KOH-kee-kah
Faringitis estreptocócica is the precise medical term for strep throat in Spanish, referring to a pharyngeal infection caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria. In everyday conversation, many speakers use shorter alternatives like anginas or infección de garganta, though these terms are less specific.
The phrase has nine syllables total: fa-rin-GI-tis es-trep-to-CÓ-ci-ca. Stress the third syllable of faringitis and the fourth syllable of estreptocócica. Both words keep their vowels clear and open.
El doctor le diagnosticó faringitis estreptocócica.
The doctor diagnosed her with strep throat.
Strep Throat in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for strep throat, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| faringitis estreptocócica | strep throat | fah-reen-HEE-tees ehs-trep-toh-KOH-kee-kah | Default, widely understood |
| infección de garganta por estreptococo | strep throat | descriptive / clinical | |
| anginas | strep throat | colloquial in Spain and Latin America | |
| amigdalitis | strep throat | colloquial, though technically refers to tonsillitis |
How Native Speakers Use Faringitis estreptocócica
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
At the clinic
Necesita antibióticos porque tiene faringitis estreptocócica.
She needs antibiotics because she has strep throat.
Doctors use the full medical term when prescribing treatment.
Colloquial conversation
Creo que tengo anginas; me duele mucho la garganta.
I think I have strep throat; my throat really hurts.
Anginas is the informal go-to in many households.
Describing symptoms
La infección de garganta por estreptococo causa fiebre y dolor al tragar.
A strep throat infection causes fever and pain when swallowing.
This longer descriptive form is common in health articles.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Faringitis estreptocócica
Confusing anginas with tonsillitis
Incorrect: Me quitaron las anginas. (meaning strep throat)
Correct: Me quitaron las amígdalas.
Anginas colloquially refers to a sore throat or strep, but removing them surgically means removing the tonsils (amígdalas), not the infection.
Omitting the adjective
Incorrect: Tiene faringitis. (when specifically meaning strep)
Correct: Tiene faringitis estreptocócica.
Faringitis alone means pharyngitis of any cause. Adding estreptocócica specifies the strep bacterium.
Lock in Strep Throat Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
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See Faringitis estreptocócica used by native speakers
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Common Questions About Strep Throat in Spanish
- Is anginas the same as strep throat?
- Anginas is actually a colloquial catch-all for a severely sore throat and may or may not involve strep bacteria. The precise diagnosis is faringitis estreptocócica.
- How would I tell a Spanish-speaking doctor I think I have strep throat?
- You can say 'Creo que tengo faringitis estreptocócica' for the formal term, or simply 'Me duele mucho la garganta y creo que es una infección por estreptococo.'
- What is the difference between amigdalitis and faringitis estreptocócica?
- Amigdalitis is inflammation of the tonsils specifically, while faringitis estreptocócica is a strep infection of the pharynx. They can overlap, but they are clinically distinct conditions.