Inklingo
← Dictionary

vértigo

BEHR-tee-go/ˈbeɾtiɣo/

“vértigo” means “dizziness” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

dizziness, fear of heights

Also: vertigo
NounmA2
General
A person standing on a high balcony looking down with colorful spiral lines around their head.

📝 In Action

Me da mucho vértigo mirar hacia abajo desde este balcón.

A2

I get a lot of dizziness looking down from this balcony.

Ella no quiere subir a la montaña rusa porque tiene vértigo.

B1

She doesn't want to get on the roller coaster because she's afraid of heights.

El médico dice que mi vértigo es causado por un problema en el oído.

B2

The doctor says my vertigo is caused by an ear problem.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • mareo (dizziness/nausea)
  • desmayo (fainting)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • dar vértigo – to make someone feel dizzy/scared of heights
  • tener vértigo – to have a fear of heights
  • sufrir de vértigo – to suffer from vertigo

Idioms & Expressions

  • al borde del vértigo – on the edge of a breakdown or a major change

dizzying pace, overwhelming feeling

Also: giddiness
NounmC1formal
A person walking through a whirlwind of colorful leaves and bright streaks of light representing speed.

📝 In Action

El vértigo de la vida moderna nos impide descansar.

C1

The dizzying pace of modern life prevents us from resting.

Sentí un gran vértigo al ver lo rápido que crecía mi empresa.

C1

I felt overwhelmed seeing how quickly my company was growing.

La velocidad del cambio tecnológico produce vértigo.

C2

The speed of technological change is dizzying.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • calma (calm)
  • lentitud (slowness)

Common Collocations

  • vértigo vital – the rush of life
  • producir vértigo – to cause a dizzying sensation (metaphorical)

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "vértigo" in Spanish:

dizzying pace→giddiness→overwhelming feeling→vertigo→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: vértigo

Question 1 of 3

Which verb is most commonly used to say that heights make you feel dizzy?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
vertiginoso(dizzying/very fast) — Adjective
vertiginosamente(at breakneck speed) — Adverb
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'vertīgo', which means 'a turning or whirling round.' It comes from the verb 'vertere,' which means 'to turn.'

First recorded: 15th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: vertigoItalian: vertigineFrench: vertige

💡 Master Spanish

Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I say 'I am afraid of heights' in Spanish?

The most natural way is to say 'Tengo vértigo' (I have vertigo) or 'Me dan vértigo las alturas' (Heights give me vertigo).

Is 'vértigo' a medical term or a common word?

It is both! Doctors use it for inner-ear balance issues, but everyday people use it to describe that scary feeling when looking down from a tall building.

Can I use 'vértigo' for emotional situations?

Yes! You can use it to describe the feeling of a life-changing moment or a situation that is moving forward very quickly.