crónico
“crónico” means “chronic” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
chronic
Also: long-term
📝 In Action
Mi abuela sufre de dolor crónico en la espalda.
A2My grandmother suffers from chronic back pain.
La diabetes es una enfermedad crónica que requiere cuidado constante.
B1Diabetes is a chronic disease that requires constant care.
El paciente fue diagnosticado con fatiga crónica.
B2The patient was diagnosed with chronic fatigue.
chronic
Also: inveterate, habitual
📝 In Action
No le creas nada, es un mentiroso crónico.
B1Don't believe him at all; he's a chronic liar.
El desempleo crónico es un gran desafío para el gobierno.
B2Chronic unemployment is a major challenge for the government.
Hay una falta crónica de inversión en el sistema educativo.
C1There is a chronic lack of investment in the education system.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: crónico
Question 1 of 3
Which of these is the opposite of 'dolor crónico'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Greek word 'khronikos,' which means 'pertaining to time.' It passed through Latin as 'chronicus' before entering Spanish.
First recorded: 15th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'crónico' and 'agudo'?
Think of 'crónico' as 'long-lasting' (like a backache you've had for years) and 'agudo' as 'sudden and sharp' (like a broken bone or a sudden fever).
Does 'crónica' only mean 'chronic' (feminine)?
No! While it is the feminine form of the adjective, 'una crónica' is also a noun that means a journalistic report or a chronicle of events.
Is 'crónico' used for positive things?
Rarely. It is almost always used for negative things like illnesses, lies, unemployment, or shortages.