What it's NOT
constipated does NOT translate to constipado (resfriado).
To say "constipado (resfriado)" in English, use to have a cold.
ESEN
False cognate · False friend
constipated
Does NOT mean constipado (resfriado)
It means unable to have a bowel movement
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
What it IS
constipated means unable to have a bowel movement.
Why it's confused
Spanish "constipado" is a head cold, the congestion from a cold. English "constipated" means having trouble with bowel movements. Having a cold in English is "to have a cold."
How it's pronounced
constipatedCÓNS-ti-pei-ted
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Examples of correct use
English
Eat more fiber if you're constipated.
Spanish
Come más fibra si estás estreñido.
English
Being constipated is uncomfortable.
Spanish
Estar estreñido es incómodo.
A trick to remember it
Constipated = trouble with bowel movements. Having a cold (Spanish "constipado") = "a cold" or "stuffy."
Mini quiz
You have the flu and a stuffy nose. What do you say?
Frequently asked questions
What does "constipated" mean in English?
"Constipated" means "unable to have a bowel movement". It looks a lot like "constipado", which is exactly why it gets confused, but they don't mean the same thing.
How do you say "constipado" in English?
To say "constipado" in English, use "to have a cold". If you use "constipated" instead, you would actually be saying "unable to have a bowel movement".
Do "constipated" and "constipado" mean the same thing?
Spanish "constipado" is a head cold, the congestion from a cold. English "constipated" means having trouble with bowel movements. Having a cold in English is "to have a cold."
Other confusing false friends
More confusing false friends
Library, embarrassed, actually... the full list of words that look the same but mean something different.
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