Spanish word

parálisis

Pronunciation

IPA/paˈɾalisis/

Meaning

  • feminine nounparalysis

Example

¿Desde cuándo tienes parálisis en la mano?

How long have you had paralysis in your hand?

Illustration for parálisis (paralysis)

More examples

Después del accidente, quedó con parálisis en la pierna.

After the accident, he was left with paralysis in the leg.

Core concept

A limb that cannot move or feel.

Common phrases

  • tener parálisis

    have paralysis

  • sufrir parálisis

    suffer paralysis

  • parálisis en la pierna

    paralysis in the leg

Similar words

paralización: Interruption of a part's function that prevents it from moving.
inmovilidad: A motionless condition of a limb or body part.
entumecimiento: Touch feels numb or dull, with noticeably reduced sensitivity.
adormecimiento: Brief numbness that temporarily removes normal feeling.

Definition in Spanish

Pérdida parcial o total del movimiento o de la sensibilidad en una parte del cuerpo; por extensión, incapacidad de una persona, institución o sistema para actuar con normalidad.

Word origin

From Greek παράλυσις (para 'beside' + lysis 'loosening'), via Latin into Spanish, originally describing a 'loosening' that came to mean loss of movement or sensation.

Usage tips

  • The noun is feminine (la parálisis) and is often used figuratively, for example parálisis política or parálisis económica, to mean an institution or system unable to act.

Opposites

Related words

  • paralizarparalyzeverb
  • paralíticoparalyzedadjective
  • paralizaciónparalysisnoun

Word lists with this word