Describing discomfort objectively | Learn Spanish in English

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Use Describing discomfort objectively to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

La molestia es leve, pero ha durado más de lo habitual.

lah moh-LESS-tyah ehs LEH-beh, PEH-roh ah doo-RAH-doh MAHS deh loh ah-bee-too-AHL. The discomfort is mild, but it has lasted longer than usual.

¿Cambia con la actividad, el descanso o las comidas?

KAHM-byah kohn lah ahk-tee-bee-DAHD, ehl dehs-KAHN-soh oh lahs koh-MEE-dahs? Does it change with activity, rest, or meals?

La noto más cuando estoy sentado durante mucho tiempo.

lah NOH-toh MAHS KWAHN-doh ehs-TOY sen-TAH-doh doo-RAHN-teh MOO-choh TYEM-poh. I notice it more when I sit for a long time.

Conviene mencionar ese patrón, y el personal médico puede evaluarlo adecuadamente.

kohn-BYAY-neh men-syoh-NAHR EH-seh pah-TRON, ee ehl pehr-soh-NAHL MEH-dee-koh PWEH-deh eh-bah-LWAR-loh ah-deh-kwah-dah-MEN-teh. That pattern is worth mentioning, and the clinician can assess it properly.

Estoy intentando describirla sin hacer que parezca más grave ni menos seria de lo que es.

ehs-TOY een-ten-TAHN-doh dehs-kree-BEER-lah seen ah-SEHR keh pah-REHS-kah MAHS GRAH-beh nee MEH-nohs SEH-ryah deh loh keh ehs. I am trying to describe it without making it sound worse or less serious than it is.

Concéntrese en la frecuencia con que ocurre y en cómo le afecta.

kohn-SEN-treh-seh ehn lah freh-KWEN-syah kohn keh oh-KOO-reh ee ehn KOH-moh leh ah-FEHK-tah. Focus on how often it happens and how it affects you.

Puedo explicar que hace que me resulte más difícil concentrarme en el trabajo.

PWEH-doh ehk-splee-KAHR keh AH-seh keh meh reh-SOOL-teh MAHS dee-FEE-seel kohn-sen-TRAHR-meh ehn ehl trah-BAH-hoh. I can explain that it makes it harder to concentrate at work.

Incluya ese detalle, ya que el impacto diario suele orientar el seguimiento.

een-KLOO-yah EH-seh deh-TAH-yeh, yah keh ehl eem-PAHK-toh dee-AH-ryoh SWEH-leh oh-ryen-TAHR ehl seh-ghee-mee-EN-toh. Include that detail, since daily impact often guides follow-up.

Word by Word

La “La” means “the” in “La molestia,” referring to the discomfort being described. It is used directly before a feminine singular noun, as in “La molestia.”

molestia “Molestia” means discomfort or a bothersome sensation here. In “La molestia es leve,” it names the symptom being described objectively; it can be reused after “la” to identify a particular discomfort.

es “Es” states that the discomfort has the quality described by “leve.” In “La molestia es leve,” it links the subject with an adjective and can be reused in similar descriptions such as “La molestia es…” with a suitable description.

leve “Leve” means mild in this dialogue and describes the intensity of “La molestia.” It can be reused after “es” to give a measured description of a symptom.

pero “Pero” introduces a contrast: the discomfort is mild, but it has lasted longer than usual. It can connect two statements when the second one limits or contrasts with the first.

ha “Ha” helps form “ha durado,” stating that the discomfort has lasted up to the relevant present time. It is used together with “durado” in this past-duration statement.

durado “Durado” contributes the meaning of having lasted in “ha durado.” It is used with “ha” to describe how long the discomfort has continued, as in the reusable pattern “ha durado…” followed by a duration or comparison.

más “Más” means more, or longer when referring to duration, in “más de lo habitual.” It is used before “de” to compare the duration with what is usual.

de “De” connects “más” with the standard of comparison in “más de lo habitual.” Together, “más de…” expresses exceeding a stated amount or standard.

lo “Lo” helps turn “habitual” into the general standard of what is usual in “lo habitual.” The full expression “más de lo habitual” means longer or more than usual.

habitual “Habitual” means usual or customary here, describing the normal duration used for comparison. In “lo habitual,” it refers to what is normally expected rather than to a specific object.

Cambia “Cambia” asks whether the discomfort changes under different conditions. It appears in the question “¿Cambia con la actividad, el descanso o las comidas?” and can be reused with “con” to ask what affects a change.

con “Con” means with and introduces the conditions being compared in “con la actividad, el descanso o las comidas.” It can be reused to connect a change with an activity, state, or circumstance.

actividad “Actividad” means activity in the question about what may change the discomfort. It appears after “con la” and can be reused to refer to activity as a condition affecting a symptom.

el “El” means “the” before “descanso” in “el descanso.” It is used directly before this masculine singular noun.

descanso “Descanso” means rest here and is one of the conditions being asked about. It is used after “con el” in “con el descanso,” a pattern for asking whether rest changes something.

o “O” means or and separates alternative conditions in the question. Here it joins “la actividad,” “el descanso,” and “las comidas” as possible factors.

las “Las” means “the” before the plural noun “comidas.” It is used directly before this feminine plural noun in “las comidas.”

comidas “Comidas” means meals here and refers to eating occasions as a possible factor. It appears in “con … las comidas” and can be used to discuss how meals relate to a symptom or routine.

noto “Noto” means “I notice” in “La noto más.” The object is expressed by “la,” referring to the discomfort, and the form can be reused when reporting a sensation that the speaker observes.

cuando “Cuando” means when and introduces the situation in which the discomfort is noticed more strongly. It can be reused before a clause describing the time or condition of an event.

estoy “Estoy” means “I am” in “estoy sentado,” describing the speaker’s state at that time. It is used with “sentado” to say how the speaker is positioned.

sentado “Sentado” means seated in “estoy sentado.” Together with “estoy,” it describes the speaker being in a seated position, a useful pattern when explaining what happens while sitting.

durante “Durante” means during or for and introduces the length of the sitting period in “durante mucho tiempo.” It can be reused before a period or activity to state how long something continues.

mucho “Mucho” contributes the meaning of a large amount or long duration in “mucho tiempo.” It is placed before “tiempo” in this expression to describe an extended period.

tiempo “Tiempo” means time in “durante mucho tiempo,” which describes an extended period. The pattern “durante mucho tiempo” can be reused to report how long an activity or condition continues.

Conviene “Conviene” means that something is advisable or worth doing in “Conviene mencionar ese patrón.” It introduces practical advice and is followed here by the infinitive “mencionar.”

mencionar “Mencionar” means to mention in the advice “Conviene mencionar ese patrón.” It is used as an infinitive after “conviene” and can be followed by the information that should be mentioned.

ese “Ese” means that and points to the pattern just described. In “ese patrón,” it comes before the noun and identifies a specific pattern relevant to the conversation.

patrón “Patrón” means pattern here, referring to the way the discomfort changes or is noticed. In “ese patrón,” it identifies a recurring relationship that is useful to mention to medical staff.

y “Y” means and and joins the advice about mentioning the pattern with the statement about what the medical staff can do. It can connect two related actions or pieces of information.

personal “Personal” means staff in “el personal médico,” referring collectively to the people providing medical care. It is used with “médico” to specify the type of staff.

médico “Médico” means medical in “el personal médico.” Together, “el personal médico” refers to the medical staff who can assess the pattern.

puede “Puede” means can and expresses ability or possibility in “puede evaluarlo.” It is followed by the infinitive “evaluar” within the attached form “evaluarlo.”

evaluarlo “Evaluarlo” means to assess it, referring to the pattern mentioned earlier. It combines the action of assessing with “lo” as the object, and the pattern “puede evaluarlo” expresses that someone can assess something.

adecuadamente “Adecuadamente” means properly or appropriately and describes how the medical staff can assess the pattern. It is placed after “evaluarlo” to modify the assessment.

intentando “Intentando” means trying in “Estoy intentando describirla.” It is used with “estoy” to describe an effort that the speaker is making at the time of the conversation.

describirla “Describirla” means to describe it, referring to the discomfort. The form contains the action of describing plus “la” attached as the object, and it can be reused when describing a specific feminine noun.

sin “Sin” means without and introduces an action or result that the speaker wants to avoid. In “sin hacer que parezca…,” it is followed by an infinitive phrase.

hacer “Hacer” contributes the meaning of making or causing in “hacer que parezca.” The whole construction expresses causing something to seem a certain way, and “hacer” is followed by “que” and a clause.

que “Que” introduces the clause describing how the discomfort might appear in “hacer que parezca.” Together with “hacer,” it forms the construction “hacer que parezca,” meaning to make something seem.

parezca “Parezca” means seem or appear in “hacer que parezca más grave ni menos seria.” It describes the impression the discomfort might give and follows “hacer que” in this construction.

grave “Grave” means serious or severe in “parezca más grave.” It describes the perceived seriousness of the discomfort and follows “más” when that seriousness is presented as greater.

ni “Ni” means nor and introduces the second possibility the speaker does not want to suggest: “menos seria.” It links two negative alternatives in “más grave ni menos seria.”

menos “Menos” means less in “menos seria.” It marks a lower degree of seriousness and is used before the adjective “seria” in this comparison.

seria “Seria” means serious and describes the discomfort in “menos seria.” It agrees with the feminine noun “molestia” understood in the sentence and follows “menos” to express a lower degree.

Concéntrese “Concéntrese” gives the formal instruction to focus. It is used with “en” in “Concéntrese en…” to direct attention to specific information.

en “En” means on or about in “Concéntrese en la frecuencia…” and introduces the subject that deserves attention. It can be reused after “concentrarse” to name what someone should focus on.

frecuencia “Frecuencia” means frequency in “la frecuencia con que ocurre,” referring to how often the discomfort happens. It can be reused with a clause introduced by “con que” to describe the occurrence rate of an event.

ocurre “Ocurre” means happens or occurs in “con que ocurre.” It identifies the event whose frequency is being discussed and can be reused to report when a symptom or situation takes place.

cómo “Cómo” means how and introduces the way the discomfort affects the person in “cómo le afecta.” The accent marks its use in an indirect question or embedded question.

le “Le” refers to the person affected in “cómo le afecta,” meaning “you” in this formal conversation. It appears before “afecta” to mark the person who experiences the effect.

afecta “Afecta” means affects in “cómo le afecta,” describing the effect of the discomfort on the listener. It can be reused with a person introduced by “le” and a situation or activity as the thing affected.

Puedo “Puedo” means “I can” and expresses the speaker’s ability to explain the impact. It is followed by the infinitive “explicar,” forming “Puedo explicar…” as a way to introduce information the speaker is able to provide.

explicar “Explicar” means to explain in “Puedo explicar que…” It is used as an infinitive after “puedo” and can introduce the information being explained with “que.”

hace “Hace” contributes the meaning of makes or causes in “hace que me resulte más difícil.” The whole construction describes something causing an activity to become more difficult for the speaker.

me “Me” refers to the speaker as the person for whom concentrating is difficult in “me resulte.” It marks the person experiencing the result within the construction “me resulte más difícil.”

resulte “Resulte” expresses how the situation turns out for the speaker in “me resulte más difícil concentrarme.” It follows “hace que” and introduces the result that concentrating becomes more difficult.

difícil “Difícil” means difficult and describes the effort required to concentrate in “más difícil concentrarme.” It can be reused after “resultar” to describe an activity that is hard for someone.

concentrarme “Concentrarme” means to concentrate, with “me” referring to the speaker. It is the activity that becomes more difficult in “me resulte más difícil concentrarme,” and it can be used after expressions describing its difficulty.

trabajo “Trabajo” means work in “en el trabajo,” identifying the setting where concentration is affected. The phrase “en el trabajo” can be reused to describe something that happens at work.

Incluya “Incluya” gives the formal instruction to include something, here “ese detalle.” It can be reused before the information that should be added to an explanation or report.

detalle “Detalle” means detail in “Incluya ese detalle,” referring to the effect on concentration at work. It is used after “ese” to identify a specific piece of information worth adding.

ya que “Ya que” works as a single connector meaning since or because and introduces the reason for including the detail. The components “ya” and “que” work together here to connect the recommendation with its justification.

impacto “Impacto” means impact in “el impacto diario,” referring to the effect the discomfort has on everyday functioning. It can be reused with a noun describing the area affected, such as work or concentration.

diario “Diario” means daily and describes the regular, everyday nature of the impact in “el impacto diario.” It is placed after “impacto” to specify the time scale of that effect.

suele “Suele” means usually or tends to in “suele orientar,” describing what commonly happens with daily impact. It is followed by an infinitive, here “orientar,” to express a usual tendency.

orientar “Orientar” means guide or help direct in “suele orientar el seguimiento.” It is used as an infinitive after “suele” and takes “el seguimiento” as the process being guided.

seguimiento “Seguimiento” means follow-up in the clinical context. In “orientar el seguimiento,” it refers to the later monitoring or care decisions guided by the reported daily impact.

Grammar Points

conviene + infinitivo

Conviene mencionar la molestia al personal médico.

kohn-BYAY-neh men-syoh-NAHR lah moh-LESS-tyah ahl pehr-soh-NAHL MEH-dee-koh.

It is advisable to mention the discomfort to the medical staff.

Conviene expresa una recomendación y va seguido de un verbo en infinitivo.

infinitivo + pronombre átono

Conviene evaluarlo adecuadamente.

kohn-BYAY-neh eh-bah-LWAR-loh ah-deh-kwah-dah-MEN-teh.

It is advisable to assess it properly.

En español, el pronombre puede unirse al infinitivo: evaluar + lo = evaluarlo.

Spanish Vocabulary

actividad noun

ahk-tee-bee-DAHD activity

¿Cambia con la actividad?

comida noun

koh-MEE-dah meal comidas

¿Cambia con las comidas?

convener verb

kohn-BYAY-neh to be advisable conviene

Conviene mencionar ese patrón.

descanso noun

dehs-KAHN-soh rest

¿Cambia con el descanso?

durante prep

doo-RAHN-teh during

Durante mucho tiempo.

durar verb

doo-RAHR to last ha durado

Ha durado más de lo habitual.

habitual adj

ah-bee-too-AHL usual

Más de lo habitual.

leve adj

LEH-beh mild

La molestia es leve.

mencionar verb

men-syoh-NAHR to mention

Conviene mencionar ese patrón.

molestia noun

moh-LESS-tyah discomfort

La molestia es leve.

notar verb

noh-TAHR to notice noto

La noto más.

sentado adj

sen-TAH-doh seated

Cuando estoy sentado.

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to notice

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noto

meal

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comidas

usual

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habitual

mild

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leve