Inklingo

How to Say "swollen" in Spanish

English → Spanish

hinchado

een-CHAH-dohinˈtʃado

adjectiveA2general
Use 'hinchado' when referring to physical inflammation or swelling of a body part due to injury, allergies, or medical conditions.
A close-up illustration of a person's puffy, red, and enlarged ankle compared to a normal foot.

Examples

Tengo el tobillo muy hinchado después de jugar al fútbol.

My ankle is very swollen after playing soccer.

Sus ojos estaban hinchados porque no durmió bien.

Her eyes were puffy because she didn't sleep well.

Me siento un poco hinchado después de esa cena tan grande.

I feel a bit bloated after that big dinner.

Use with 'Estar'

Since being swollen is usually a temporary condition or a state, always use 'estar' instead of 'ser'.

Gender and Number Match

The ending changes to match what you are talking about: 'un dedo hinchado' (one swollen finger) but 'las manos hinchadas' (swollen hands).

The 'Ser' vs 'Estar' Trap

Mistake: “Mi brazo es hinchado.”

Correction: Mi brazo está hinchado. (We use 'está' because swelling is a temporary state, not a permanent personality trait of your arm!)

crecido

kreh-SEE-dohkɾeˈsiðo

adjectiveB1specific
Use 'crecido' specifically when describing a river or body of water that is abnormally high or swollen due to rain or melting snow.
A wide river with visibly high, dark water levels that are close to spilling over the banks, showing the river is swollen.

Examples

Tengan cuidado, el río está muy crecido y es peligroso cruzarlo.

Be careful, the river is very swollen/high and it's dangerous to cross it.

Después del deshielo, el arroyo siempre viene crecido.

After the thaw, the stream always comes high/swollen.

Always used with 'Estar'

When referring to water levels, 'crecido' describes the temporary, current state of the river or stream, so it always pairs with 'estar' (to be).

Body Part vs. Water Level

The most common mistake is using 'crecido' for body swelling or 'hinchado' for rivers. Remember: 'hinchado' is for body parts, and 'crecido' is for bodies of water like rivers.

Related Translations

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