Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say UTI in Spanish
Infección Urinaria · noun · een-fehk-SYOHN oo-ree-NAH-ryah
A UTI (urinary tract infection) is called 'infección urinaria' or 'infección de vías urinarias' in Spanish. Unlike English, Spanish does not commonly use the abbreviation UTI; instead, the full phrase is used in both medical and everyday contexts.
Pronounced een-fehk-SYOHN oo-ree-NAH-ryah. The stress in 'infección' falls on the last syllable, and 'urinaria' is stressed on the third syllable.
El médico confirmó que tengo una infección urinaria.
The doctor confirmed that I have a UTI.
UTI in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for uti, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| infección urinaria | uti | een-fehk-SYOHN oo-ree-NAH-ryah | Default, widely understood |
| infección de vías urinarias | uti | formal medical | |
| infección del tracto urinario | uti | clinical |
How Native Speakers Use Infección Urinaria
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Doctor visit
Creo que tengo una infección urinaria porque me arde al orinar.
I think I have a UTI because it burns when I urinate.
Describing symptoms to a healthcare provider.
Prescription
Para la infección de vías urinarias, le receto antibióticos.
For the UTI, I'm prescribing antibiotics.
Doctor prescribing treatment.
Prevention advice
Beber mucha agua ayuda a prevenir infecciones urinarias.
Drinking lots of water helps prevent UTIs.
Health advice about prevention.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Infección Urinaria
Using English abbreviation
Incorrect: Tengo una UTI y necesito medicina.
Correct: Tengo una infección urinaria y necesito medicina.
The abbreviation 'UTI' is not recognized in Spanish-speaking medical contexts; always use the full term 'infección urinaria.'
Wrong gender agreement
Incorrect: Tengo un infección urinario.
Correct: Tengo una infección urinaria.
Infección is feminine, requiring 'una' and the feminine adjective form 'urinaria.'
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See Infección Urinaria used by native speakers
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Common Questions About UTI in Spanish
- Is there a Spanish abbreviation for UTI?
- In medical records, you may see 'IVU' (infección de vías urinarias) or 'ITU' (infección del tracto urinario), but in conversation the full phrase 'infección urinaria' is always used.
- How do I describe UTI symptoms in Spanish?
- Common symptom descriptions include 'ardor al orinar' (burning during urination), 'ganas frecuentes de orinar' (frequent urge to urinate), and 'dolor en la parte baja del abdomen' (pain in the lower abdomen).
- What is the difference between infección urinaria and cistitis?
- The term 'cistitis' specifically refers to a bladder infection, which is the most common type of UTI, while 'infección urinaria' is the broader term that includes infections anywhere in the urinary tract.