Constipado is an adjective in Spanish.
/kon.stiˈpa.ðo/
In Spanish, constipado typically refers to having a cold or common cold symptoms, such as nasal congestion, coughing, and a runny nose. Although in medicine it can indicate more general congestion, it is primarily used in everyday language when speaking about colds. It is a common term that is frequently used in oral speech, particularly among those discussing health issues informally.
The word constipado is commonly used in conversational contexts, especially among people discussing symptoms of respiratory illnesses. It is less frequent in formal medical texts where more specific terms like "rinitis" or "infección viral" might be preferred.
Estoy constipado y no puedo ir a trabajar.
I'm cold and can't go to work.
El constipado me ha dejado sin voz.
The cold has left me voiceless.
Después de estar en la lluvia, me siento constipado.
After being in the rain, I feel cold.
The word constipado is used in various idiomatic expressions, mostly related to health. Here are a few examples:
Estar constipado hasta las trancas.
To be completely stuffed up with a cold.
(Literal translation: To be cold up to the rafters.)
Constipado como un perro.
Cold like a dog.
(Used to describe someone who is very sick with a cold.)
No sé si es un constipado o algo más serio.
I don’t know if it’s a cold or something more serious.
Cada vez que hace frío, me constipo.
Every time it gets cold, I catch a cold.
The term constipado comes from the Latin word "constipatus," which means "compressed" or "clogged." In the context of health, it refers to the sensation of nasal congestion one experiences during a cold.
This structured approach provides a comprehensive understanding of the term constipado, its use in the Spanish language, and its relevance in both everyday and medical contexts.