paciente
/pah-syen-teh/
patient
Paciente (adjective): Able to wait calmly.
paciente(Adjective)
patient
?able to wait calmly
,forbearing
?able to endure difficulty
📝 In Action
Mi abuela es muy paciente conmigo y mis errores.
A1My grandmother is very patient with me and my mistakes.
Necesitas ser más paciente mientras esperas los resultados.
A2You need to be more patient while waiting for the results.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Ends in -e
Since 'paciente' already ends in '-e,' it is 'invariable' for gender (meaning it doesn't change to 'pacienta' for a woman). You only change it for plural: 'pacientes'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing up the Noun and Adjective
Mistake: "Using 'la paciencia' (the noun 'patience') instead of 'paciente' (the adjective 'patient') when describing a person."
Correction: Say 'Soy paciente' (I am patient) not 'Soy paciencia' (I am patience).
⭐ Usage Tips
Use with Ser
Since 'paciente' describes a core personality trait or general state, it almost always pairs with the verb 'ser' (to be).
Paciente (noun): A person receiving medical care.
📝 In Action
El paciente fue dado de alta esta mañana.
A2The patient was discharged this morning.
La paciente tiene una cita con el especialista a las dos.
A2The patient (female) has an appointment with the specialist at two o'clock.
Los pacientes están esperando su turno en la sala.
B1The patients are waiting their turn in the room.
💡 Grammar Points
Noun Gender (El vs. La)
When 'paciente' is used as a noun, the word form doesn't change, but the accompanying article does. Use 'el paciente' for a male patient and 'la paciente' for a female patient.
⭐ Usage Tips
Professional Context
This term is standard in all medical and therapeutic environments. You will almost never hear 'la persona enferma' (the sick person) in a clinical setting; 'paciente' is the professional term.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: paciente
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'paciente' as a noun?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I say 'patients' (plural) in Spanish?
You just add an 's' to the end: 'pacientes'. This applies whether you are using it as an adjective ('personas pacientes') or a noun ('los pacientes').
Is 'paciente' always a kind word?
Yes, when used as an adjective, it is always positive, describing someone who is calm, enduring, and tolerant. When used as a noun, it is a neutral professional term for someone receiving medical care.