How to Say "to cure" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to cure” is “curar” — use 'curar' when referring to a medical professional healing a patient or treating a disease or illness.
curar
koo-RAHRkuˈɾaɾ
Examples
El médico curó la infección con antibióticos.
The doctor cured the infection with antibiotics.
Necesitas curar esa herida para que no se infecte.
You need to heal that wound so it doesn't get infected.
El niño se curó de la gripe muy rápido.
The child recovered (healed himself) from the flu very quickly.
El jamón serrano debe curarse durante muchos meses.
Serrano ham must be cured for many months.
Active vs. Reflexive
When you actively heal someone or something, use 'curar' (El doctor cura). When a person or thing heals itself or recovers, use the reflexive form 'curarse' (La herida se curó).
Using 'curar' for objects
Mistake: “Curé mi coche roto.”
Correction: Reparé mi coche roto. ('Curar' is usually reserved for living things or wounds, use 'reparar' for machines.)
sanar
sah-NARsaˈnaɾ
Examples
La herida sanó completamente en una semana.
The wound healed completely in a week.
Espero que sanes pronto de tu resfriado.
I hope you get well soon from your cold.
El médico hizo todo lo posible por sanar al paciente.
The doctor did everything possible to heal the patient.
Sanar vs. Curar
'Sanar' is often used when a person gets better naturally or when a wound closes, while 'curar' is more often used when a treatment or a person (like a doctor) actively fixes a health problem.
Using 'sanar' as a change of state
You don't need a special reflexive word (like 'se') to say 'the wound healed'—just 'la herida sanó' is perfect.
Using 'sanar' for 'to be healthy'
Mistake: “Estoy sanando para decir que tengo buena salud.”
Correction: Use 'Estar sano' to say you are currently healthy. 'Sanar' is only the process of going from sick to healthy.
curar
koo-RAHRkuˈɾaɾ
Examples
El jamón serrano debe curarse durante muchos meses.
Serrano ham must be cured for many months.
El médico curó la infección con antibióticos.
The doctor cured the infection with antibiotics.
Necesitas curar esa herida para que no se infecte.
You need to heal that wound so it doesn't get infected.
El niño se curó de la gripe muy rápido.
The child recovered (healed himself) from the flu very quickly.
Active vs. Reflexive
When you actively heal someone or something, use 'curar' (El doctor cura). When a person or thing heals itself or recovers, use the reflexive form 'curarse' (La herida se curó).
Using 'curar' for objects
Mistake: “Curé mi coche roto.”
Correction: Reparé mi coche roto. ('Curar' is usually reserved for living things or wounds, use 'reparar' for machines.)
Healing vs. Preserving
Related Translations
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