camilla
ka-MEE-yah
📝 In Action
Los enfermeros subieron al herido a la camilla.
A2The nurses put the injured person on the stretcher.
Por favor, túmbate en la camilla para el examen médico.
A2Please, lie down on the examination table for the medical check-up.
La masajista preparó la camilla con toallas limpias.
B1The massage therapist prepared the table with clean towels.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Clue
This word is feminine because it ends in '-a.' You should use 'la' or 'una' with it: 'la camilla.'
Diminutive Roots
The ending '-illa' usually means something is small. This word comes from 'cama' (bed), so it literally means 'little bed.'
❌ Common Pitfalls
Stretcher vs. Bed
Mistake: "Using 'cama' for a medical stretcher."
Correction: Use 'camilla' when referring to the portable or narrow tables used in clinics or emergencies.
⭐ Usage Tips
The 'Mesa Camilla' Tradition
In Spain, you might hear about a 'mesa camilla.' This isn't for medical use! It's a cozy household table with a long cloth and a small heater underneath to keep your legs warm in winter.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: camilla
Question 1 of 2
If you are at a spa getting a massage, what are you lying on?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'camilla' the same as 'gurney'?
Yes, in a hospital context, 'camilla' is the standard word for a gurney or any portable bed used to move patients.
Does 'camilla' always mean something medical?
Mostly, but not always. It is also used for massage tables and in the cultural term 'mesa camilla' for a heated living room table.