This is the first of 3 premium lessons covering the clinical encounter: "Atrial Fibrillation in Spanish." LEVEL - UPPER INTERMEDIATE Vocabulary las urgenciasthe ER agitarseto get agitated, to feel one’s heart pound or a discomfort in the chest la falta de aireshortness of breath subir los escalonesto go up stairs mareado/adizzy, light-headed desmayarseto faint el […]
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Interested to see agitarse for rapid heart rate. I asked my native Spanish speakers from Mexico and Peru how they would translate it. They all felt agitarse was a feeling of not being able to breath, chest pressure almost a feeling of panic. For palpitations they use palpitación or some version of my heart was beating fast. Once again shows the importance of asking further questions whatever the language. Anyone else
Hey Sheila! Thank you for this comment. Yes, AGITARSE is a puzzling verb to translate. You are absolutely right. It does not translate exactly to the feeling of a rapid heart rate. I chose to translate it as “my heart pounds” because Laura chose this verb when I asked her to express the sensation that her heart was working hard. Above, I reference Ángel’s interview with his abuela doña Tere, who used “me agito” to express a discomfort in her chest when she walks up an incline. If anyone has any more input regarding how they would use this verb… please chime in. I will include a lesson on describing palpitations in Spanish as part of this series. Thanks again Sheila for your comment.