Before you begin a conversation with a patient, you may have to determine whether interpretation services will be needed. The following questions can help you do so.
| English | Spanish | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Do you need to speak to a Spanish-speaking nurse? | ¿Necesita hablar con un(a) enfermero(a) que hable español? | nay-say-see-tah ah-blahr cone oon (ah) ain-fair-may-roh (ah) kay ah-blay ace-pan-yole |
| Would you like an interpreter? | ¿Necesita un intérprete? | nay-say-see-tah oon een-tair-pray-tay |
| Please hold for assistance. | Por favor, espere por la ayuda. | pour fah-bore ace-pay-ray pour lah ah-you-day |
| Can you read this information? | ¿Puede leer esta información? | p’way-day lay-air ace-tah een-for-mah-see-own |
| What is the name and number of a primary contact person who speaks and understands English? | ¿Cuál es el nombre y el número de teléfono de un contacto primario que habla y comprende el inglés? | k’wall ace ale noam-bray ee ale noo-may-row day tay-lay-fo-no day oon cone-tahk-toe pree-mah-ree-oh kay ah-blah ee comb-prain-day ale een-glace |
You will also want to learn some basic questions and statements that will help you introduce yourself to the patient in Spanish.
| English | Spanish | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| I will be with you this shift (until morning, until evening). | Voy a estar con usted este turno (hasta la mañana, hasta la noche). | boy ah ace-tar cone oo-staid ace-tay tour-no (ah-stah lah mahn-yah-nah, ah-stah lah no-chay) |
| Where is your family? | ¿Dónde está su familia? | doan-day ay-stah sue fah-me-lee-ah |
| They are in the waiting room. | Están en la sala de espera. | This is a patient response. |
| They went to get something to eat. | Fueron a buscar algo de comer. | This is a patient response. |
| They will come back tomorrow. | Van a regresar mañana. | This is a patient response. |
| They went home. | Se fueron a la casa. | This is a patient response. |
| I don't know. | No sé. | This is a patient response. |
| They have left for the day. | Se fueron por el día. | This is a patient response. |
| My name is ____ and I will be your nurse. | Me llamo ____ y voy a ser su enfermero(a). | may yah-mo ____ ee boy ah sair sue ain-fair-may-roh (ah) |
| My name is ____ and I will be your nurse practitioner. | Me llamo ____ y voy a ser su enfermero(a) certificado(a) / enfermero(a) especializado(a) . | may yah-mo ee boy ah sair sue ain-fair-may-roh(ah) sair-tee-fee-kah-doe(dah) / ain-fair-may-roh(ah) ace-pay-see-all-ee-sah-doe(dah) |
| Do you have an appointment? | ¿Tiene una cita? | tee-ay-nay oo-nah see-tah |
| Did you make an appointment? | ¿Hizo una cita? | ee-so oo-nah see-tah |
| Do you need to make an appointment? | ¿Necesita hacer una cita? | nay-say-see-tah ah-sair oo-nah see-tah |
| You need to make an appointment. | Necesita hacer una cita. | nay-say-see-tah ah-sair oo-nah see-tah |
| You need to make an appointment online. | Necesita hacer una cita en línea. | nay-say-see-tah ah-sair oo-nah see-tah ain lee-nay-ah |
| You need to call to make an appointment. | Necesita llamar para hacer una cita. | nay-say-see-tah yah-mar pa-rah ah-sair oo-nah see-tah |
| How are you doing this morning / evening? | ¿Cómo se siente esta mañana / noche? | koh-moh say see-ain-tay ace-tah mahn-yah-nah / no-chay |
| I didn't sleep well. | No dormí muy bien. | This is a patient response. |
| I am doing fine. | Estoy bien. | This is a patient response. |
| I am thirsty. | Tengo sed. | This is a patient response. |
| I am hungry. | Tengo hambre. | This is a patient response. |
| I want to go home. | Quiero irme a la casa. | This is a patient response. |
| Come with me. | Venga conmigo. | bane-gah cone-me-go |
If you are struggling with a concept or terminology in the course, you may contact SpanishforNursesSupport@capella.edu for assistance.
If you are having technical issues, please contact learningcoach@sophia.org.
Source: This content has been adapted from "Spanish for Nurses" by Stephanie Langston.
