trauma
/TRAU-mah/
trauma
In Spanish, 'trauma' refers to psychological shock.
trauma(noun)
trauma
?psychological shock
emotional shock
?deep emotional disturbance
,ordeal
?difficult experience
📝 In Action
Superar un trauma infantil puede ser un proceso largo.
B2Overcoming childhood trauma can be a long process.
La pérdida de su mascota le causó un gran trauma emocional.
B1The loss of his pet caused him great emotional trauma.
Necesita ayuda profesional para lidiar con el trauma de la separación.
B2She needs professional help to deal with the trauma of the separation.
💡 Grammar Points
Masculine Noun Ending in -a
Even though 'trauma' ends in '-a', it is a masculine noun. Always say 'el trauma' or 'un trauma.' This is common for many Spanish words borrowed from Greek, like 'el problema' or 'el tema'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Incorrect Gender
Mistake: "La trauma fue muy fuerte."
Correction: El trauma fue muy fuerte. Remember that 'trauma' is masculine, so use 'el' or 'un' before it.
⭐ Usage Tips
Using 'Causar'
When talking about the event that led to the trauma, use the verb 'causar' (to cause): 'El accidente le causó un trauma'.
'Trauma' can also be used to mean a physical injury or harm.
trauma(noun)
injury
?physical harm
wound
?severe physical damage
,trauma
?medical term for physical damage
📝 In Action
El paciente ingresó con un trauma craneal grave después de la caída.
C1The patient was admitted with severe cranial trauma after the fall.
Los paramédicos evaluaron el trauma en la pierna del ciclista.
B2The paramedics assessed the injury to the cyclist's leg.
💡 Grammar Points
Medical Context
In medical settings, 'trauma' often acts as a category of injury. You will hear phrases like 'unidad de trauma' (trauma unit) or 'centro de trauma' (trauma center).
⭐ Usage Tips
Specificity
To be clearer about the location of the injury, combine 'trauma' with an adjective: 'trauma abdominal' (abdominal injury) or 'trauma ocular' (eye injury).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: trauma
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses the Spanish word 'trauma'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 'trauma' masculine if it ends in -a?
'Trauma' is masculine (el trauma) because it comes from ancient Greek words that were also masculine. Spanish keeps the original gender for many of these words, like 'el tema' (theme) and 'el planeta' (planet). Always use 'el' or 'un' before it.
Can I use 'trauma' for minor injuries?
Generally, no. 'Trauma' implies a serious physical injury or a profound psychological shock. For minor cuts or scrapes, you would use 'herida' or 'rasguño'.