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diabético

dee-ah-BEH-tee-koh/djaˈbetiko/

“diabético” means “diabetic” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

diabetic

Also: sugar-free
General
A healthy bowl of colorful vegetables and a syringe with a clear liquid representing medical care.

📝 In Action

Mi abuelo sigue una dieta diabética muy estricta.

A2

My grandfather follows a very strict diabetic diet.

El paciente sufrió un coma diabético por falta de insulina.

B1

The patient suffered a diabetic coma due to a lack of insulin.

Hay que revisar el historial diabético antes de la cirugía.

B2

We must check the diabetic history before the surgery.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • sacarino (saccharine/sugary)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • dieta diabética – diabetic diet
  • coma diabético – diabetic coma
  • pie diabético – diabetic foot (medical condition)

diabetic

Also: person with diabetes
NounmB1
A person smiling while checking their finger with a small electronic device.

📝 In Action

Juan es diabético desde que era un niño.

A1

Juan has been a diabetic since he was a child.

Los diabéticos deben controlar su nivel de azúcar a diario.

B1

Diabetics must check their sugar levels daily.

Este menú está diseñado específicamente para diabéticos.

B2

This menu is designed specifically for diabetics.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • asociación de diabéticos – diabetics' association
  • diabético tipo uno – type one diabetic

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "diabético" in Spanish:

diabetic→sugar-free→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: diabético

Question 1 of 3

Which verb should you use to say 'He is diabetic'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
diabetes(diabetes) — Noun
prediabético(prediabetic) — Adjective
antidiabético(antidiabetic) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
patéticoatléticoestético
📚 Etymology▼

From the Greek word 'diabētēs', which literally means 'a siphon' or 'passing through'. It was named this because the condition caused fluids to pass through the body too quickly.

First recorded: 18th century (modern medical use)

Cognates (Related words)

English: diabeticFrench: diabétique

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'diabético' offensive in Spanish?

No, it is a standard medical and neutral term. However, in formal settings, some prefer 'persona con diabetes' to sound more modern and respectful.

How do I pronounce the written accent?

The accent on the 'é' (diabético) tells you to put more emphasis and volume on that specific syllable: dee-ah-BEH-tee-koh.

Does it mean 'sugar-free' when referring to food?

Technically no, but if you see a label saying 'apto para diabéticos' (suitable for diabetics), it implies the food is sugar-free or low-sugar.