Hablar de la duración de los síntomas en inglés: cuándo empezó, cuánto lleva, si es recurrente
Las expresiones temporales en inglés se confunden con facilidad: "two days ago" usa ago, "for two days" usa for, "since Monday" usa since. Esta guía aclara la línea temporal de los síntomas para que puedas responder a preguntas como "When did it start?" y "How long has it been going on?" sin bloquearte.
Este artículo enseña comunicación en inglés para situaciones médicas. No es un diagnóstico médico ni un consejo de tratamiento. Si tienes síntomas súbitos o que empeoran, contacta de inmediato con los servicios de emergencia locales o busca atención médica.
Vocabulario clave
| Término | Significado | Ejemplo |
|---|---|---|
| onset | El momento de inicio de un síntoma | The onset was very sudden. |
| sudden | Que ocurre rápido, sin previo aviso | It came on suddenly. |
| gradual | Que se va acumulando lentamente con el tiempo | The pain was gradual at first. |
| since | Desde un punto concreto en el tiempo hasta ahora | I've had it since Monday. |
| for | A lo largo de un período de tiempo | I've had it for two days. |
| ago | Un período de tiempo antes de ahora (pretérito) | It started three hours ago. |
| recurring | Que ocurre una y otra vez | It's a recurring pain. |
| on and off | Va y viene, intermitente | It's been on and off for a week. |
| first time | La primera vez que ocurre | This is the first time it happened. |
Frases imprescindibles
- It started [TIME] ago.
- I've had it since [TIME / DAY].
- I've had it for [DURATION].
- It came on suddenly.
- It started gradually and got worse.
- It's been on and off for [DURATION].
- This is the first time this has happened.
- It's happened before, about [TIME] ago.
- It usually lasts about [DURATION].
- It hasn't gone away.
- It comes back every [INTERVAL].
- I woke up with it this morning.
Since, For, Ago — las tres palabras que la gente confunde
- since + un punto en el tiempo: since Monday, since 7 a.m., since last week
- for + un período de tiempo: for two days, for an hour, for a week
- ago + un período de tiempo (con pretérito): two days ago, an hour ago, a week ago
- Ejemplo: The pain started two days ago. = I've had the pain for two days. = I've had the pain since Monday (si hoy es miércoles).
Frases torpes vs. naturales
| Torpe | Natural |
|---|---|
| I have pain from Monday. | I've had pain since Monday. |
| It happens before two days. | It started two days ago. |
| Long time pain, three weeks. | I've had this pain for three weeks. |
| Sometimes have, sometimes no. | It's on and off. / It comes and goes. |
| First time never happen. | This is the first time it's happened. |
Diálogo situacional
Doctor: When did the symptoms start?
Patient: They started about three days ago, on Tuesday morning.
Doctor: Have you had this before?
Patient: Yes, something similar happened about six months ago, but it went away after a week.
Doctor: Is it constant or does it come and go?
Patient: It comes and goes. It's worse in the morning and better at night.
Plantillas de frases sustituibles
- I've had [SYMPTOM] for [DURATION].
- I've had a sore throat for four days.
- It started [TIME] ago, [SUDDENLY / GRADUALLY].
- It started two hours ago, suddenly.
- It [LASTS / COMES BACK] every [INTERVAL].
- It comes back every few weeks.
- The last time this happened was [TIME] ago.
- The last time this happened was about a year ago.
Práctica
- Di esto en inglés natural: un dolor de cabeza que empezó anoche y no ha parado.
- Reescribe esto para que suene natural en una clínica: dolor de estómago desde hace una semana, intermitente.
- Di esto en inglés natural: es la primera vez que pasa.
Respuestas de referencia
- I've had a headache since last night.
- I've had stomach pain for about a week, on and off.
- This is the first time this has happened.
Lista de comprobación previa a la cita (para copiar)
- Symptom timeline
- Started: ___ (date / time)
- Onset: sudden / gradual
- Duration so far: ___
- Constant / on and off: ___
- Has happened before: yes / no
- If yes, last time: ___ ago
- Has it changed since it started: better / worse / same
Lectura relacionada
- Cómo describir los síntomas en inglés: 7 cosas que los médicos realmente quieren oír
- Describir los cambios en los síntomas en inglés: peor, mejor, recurrente, sin alivio
- Factores que alivian y agravan los síntomas en inglés: qué los mejora o empeora
Un último recordatorio: este artículo se centra en comunicación en inglés, no en criterio médico. Si los síntomas son súbitos, intensos o empeoran rápido, busca atención médica de inmediato.