How to Say "to heal" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to heal” is “curar” — use 'curar' when referring to the act of treating or mending a physical wound, injury, or illness, often by a medical professional.
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.
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.
Necesitas tiempo para sanar tu corazón después de la ruptura.
You need time to heal your heart after the breakup.
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.
Figurative Language
When using 'sanar' for emotions, it works exactly like the physical version, but usually takes a 'thing' (like the heart or the past) as the object receiving the action.
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.
sanar
sah-NARsaˈnaɾ
Examples
Necesitas tiempo para sanar tu corazón después de la ruptura.
You need time to heal your heart after the breakup.
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.
Figurative Language
When using 'sanar' for emotions, it works exactly like the physical version, but usually takes a 'thing' (like the heart or the past) as the object receiving the action.
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 vs. Sanar: Physical vs. Process
Related Translations
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