How to Ask Someone If They Feel Dizzy in Spanish

In healthcare or daily conversations, asking someone if they feel dizzy can be essential. In Spanish, you can use different phrases depending on the type of dizziness they might be experiencing. Let’s explore common phrases, their translations, and examples to help you communicate effectively.

Common Phrases to Ask About Dizziness

1. ¿Se siente mareado/a?
   • Translation: “Do you feel dizzy?”
   • This is the most common way to ask about general dizziness.
   • Mareado is used for a male and mareada for a female.
2. ¿Se siente tambaleante?
   • Translation: “Do you feel unsteady?”
   • This focuses more on the sensation of being off-balance rather than dizzy.
3. ¿Siente vértigo?
   • Translation: “Do you feel vertigo?”
   • This phrase refers specifically to a spinning sensation or imbalance caused by inner ear issues.

Examples of Conversations

1. General Dizziness
   • Doctor: ¿Se siente mareado/a?
     (Do you feel dizzy?)
   • Patient: Sí, especialmente cuando me levanto rápido.
     (Yes, especially when I stand up quickly.)
2. Feeling Unsteady
   • Doctor: ¿Se siente tambaleante al caminar?
     (Do you feel unsteady when walking?)
   • Patient: Sí, como si me fuera a caer.
     (Yes, as if I’m about to fall.)
3. Vertigo
   • Doctor: ¿Siente vértigo o que todo le da vueltas?
     (Do you feel vertigo or that everything is spinning around you?)
   • Patient: Sí, cuando giro la cabeza rápido, todo se mueve.
     (Yes, when I turn my head quickly, everything moves.)

How to Follow Up

After asking about dizziness, follow-up questions can help clarify the symptoms:

• ¿Cuánto tiempo lleva sintiéndose así?
  (How long have you been feeling this way?)
• ¿Ha notado si empeora cuando cambia de posición?
  (Have you noticed if it gets worse when you change positions?)
• ¿Ha tenido náuseas o vómitos junto con el mareo?
  (Have you had nausea or vomiting along with the dizziness?)
• ¿Le ha pasado esto antes?
  (Has this happened to you before?)

Tips for Using These Phrases

• Match the gender. Use mareado or mareada based on who you’re talking to.
• Adapt to the context. If someone mentions instability, tambaleante might be more appropriate. For spinning sensations, vértigo fits better.
• Be patient. Dizziness can be hard to describe, so listen carefully to the person’s response.

By using these phrases, you can better understand someone’s symptoms and provide appropriate help or guidance. Have you encountered different ways of asking about dizziness in Spanish? Share them below!