When discussing medical symptoms in Portuguese, precision is key. While "dor de barriga" (stomach ache) is a common and useful term for general abdominal discomfort, "cólica" refers specifically to a more intense, often spasmodic, pain in the abdominal area. This distinction is important in medical contexts or when describing more severe discomfort.
Understanding this nuance allows for more accurate communication with healthcare professionals or when explaining your symptoms to others. It's not just a stronger stomach ache; it implies a particular quality of pain, often associated with contractions or spasms.
§ What does cólica mean and when do people use it?
The Portuguese word “cólica” (pronounced KOH-lee-kah) is a noun that directly translates to colic in English. In everyday conversation, it refers to severe pain in the abdomen. Think of it as a sharp, often cramping, pain in your belly. It's a very common word to describe discomfort in the stomach area, whether it’s from digestive issues, menstrual cycles, or even in babies.
You'll hear “cólica” used in a variety of situations. If someone is experiencing a stomach ache that's more intense than a mild discomfort, they'll likely use “cólica.” It's a more specific term than just “dor de barriga” (stomach ache), implying a more acute or cramping type of pain.
- Common Uses
You'll frequently hear "cólica" in these contexts:
- Digestive problems: When someone has food poisoning, indigestion, or gas, they might describe their abdominal pain as cólica.
- Menstrual pain: Women often refer to period cramps as “cólicas menstruais.” This is a very common use of the word.
- Infant colic: For babies, “cólica” refers to the intense, unexplained crying and abdominal discomfort that babies sometimes experience. You might hear parents say “o bebê está com cólica” (the baby has colic).
- Kidney stones or gallstones: In medical contexts, severe pain from these conditions can also be described as “cólica renal” (renal colic) or “cólica biliar” (biliary colic).
Understanding the nuances of “cólica” will help you communicate more precisely about pain and discomfort in Portuguese. It’s a very practical word to know, especially when talking about health or asking about someone’s well-being.
Estou com uma cólica terrível hoje. (I have a terrible cramp/abdominal pain today.)
As cólicas menstruais podem ser muito dolorosas. (Menstrual cramps can be very painful.)
O bebê chorou a noite toda por causa da cólica. (The baby cried all night because of the colic.)
§ What "cólica" means
If you're learning Portuguese, you'll find that some words have very specific uses. "Cólica" is one of those. It refers to a type of pain.
- DEFINITION
- Severe pain in the abdomen caused by wind or obstruction in the intestines.
While the dictionary definition focuses on intestinal pain, in everyday Portuguese, "cólica" is often used more broadly. Think of it as a sharp, cramping abdominal pain.
§ Common uses of "cólica"
You'll hear "cólica" in a few common situations. It's often associated with:
- Menstrual cramps (cólicas menstruais)
- Baby colic (cólica de bebê)
- General stomach or abdominal cramps
Minha esposa está com fortes cólicas menstruais.
O bebê chorou a noite toda por causa da cólica.
§ "Cólica" in conversation
You'll hear "cólica" in various everyday conversations, whether it's at work, school, or when discussing health. It's a very practical word to know for describing specific kinds of pain.
Imagine you're at work and a colleague looks unwell. You might hear someone ask:
Você está com cólica?
Or, if you're talking about a child:
A minha filha teve uma cólica forte depois de comer.
Even in news or health-related discussions, the word comes up when discussing symptoms or conditions related to abdominal discomfort.
Os médicos estão investigando a causa das cólicas no paciente.
§ Why it matters for learners
Knowing "cólica" is essential for practical communication. If you need to describe a specific type of stomach pain, this is the word you'll use. It's also important for understanding conversations about health, especially regarding women and children.
§ Understanding 'Cólica' vs. General Pain
Many English speakers learning Portuguese tend to use 'cólica' as a general term for any kind of stomach or abdominal pain. This is a common mistake. While 'cólica' refers to pain in the abdomen, it specifically describes a cramping, spasmodic, or colicky pain. It's not a catch-all for every ache you might feel in your stomach area.
- DEFINITION
- Severe pain in the abdomen caused by wind or obstruction in the intestines.
If you have a general stomach ache, like from indigestion or eating too much, you'd typically say 'dor de estômago' (stomach pain) or 'mal-estar no estômago' (stomach discomfort). 'Cólica' is much more specific, often associated with conditions like menstrual cramps (cólica menstrual), kidney stones (cólica renal), or intestinal issues (cólica intestinal).
§ Incorrectly Using 'Cólica' for Other Body Pains
Another frequent error is extending 'cólica' to describe pain in other parts of the body. Remember, 'cólica' is strictly for abdominal pain that has a cramping or spasmodic nature. You wouldn't use 'cólica' for a headache ('dor de cabeça'), back pain ('dor nas costas'), or muscle pain ('dor muscular'). Always ensure you're applying it to the correct anatomical region and type of pain.
§ Plural vs. Singular Usage
While 'cólica' is a singular noun, you'll often hear it in the plural form, 'cólicas,' especially when referring to menstrual cramps or baby colic. Both singular and plural forms are correct depending on the context, but it's important to understand the nuance.
- Cólica (singular): Refers to a single episode or a general sensation of colicky pain.
- Cólicas (plural): More commonly used for recurring or sustained colicky pain, like menstrual cramps or the general condition of colic in infants.
Eu senti uma cólica forte depois de comer. (I felt a strong cramping pain after eating.)
Ela está com cólicas menstruais. (She has menstrual cramps.)
Don't be afraid to use the plural 'cólicas' when it fits the context, especially for common phrases like 'cólicas menstruais' (menstrual cramps) or 'cólicas de bebê' (baby colic). It sounds more natural in these instances.
§ Confusing 'Cólica' with 'Dor'
The general word for 'pain' in Portuguese is 'dor'. 'Cólica' is a specific type of 'dor'. Thinking of 'cólica' as interchangeable with 'dor' will lead to miscommunications. Always consider the nature and location of the pain. If it's a sharp, spasmodic, or cramping pain in the abdomen, 'cólica' is correct. Otherwise, 'dor' is usually the safer, more general option.
Senti uma dor no braço. (I felt a pain in my arm.)
Tive uma cólica abdominal. (I had an abdominal cramp.)
By being mindful of these distinctions, you'll use 'cólica' correctly and sound much more natural in your Portuguese conversations about health and well-being.
난이도
short and common medical term
short and common medical term
short and common medical term
short and common medical term
다음에 무엇을 배울까
선수 학습
다음에 배울 것
고급
수준별 예문
Sinto cólica na barriga.
I feel colic in my stomach.
Literally 'I feel colic in the belly'.
A criança tem cólica de bebê.
The child has baby colic.
Used for infants with fussiness and abdominal pain.
Ela tomou remédio para cólica menstrual.
She took medicine for menstrual cramps.
'Cólica menstrual' specifically refers to menstrual cramps.
Depois de comer, tive uma cólica forte.
After eating, I had a strong colic.
Implies a sudden onset of severe abdominal pain.
Meu cachorro está com cólica.
My dog has colic.
Can also be used for animals.
Cólica renal é muito dolorosa.
Kidney colic is very painful.
'Cólica renal' refers to kidney stone pain.
O médico perguntou sobre a cólica.
The doctor asked about the colic.
Common question when discussing abdominal pain.
Preciso de um chá para cólica.
I need a tea for colic.
Suggests a home remedy for the pain.
A cólica renal é uma das dores mais intensas que se pode sentir.
Renal colic is one of the most intense pains one can feel.
Muitas mulheres sofrem de cólicas menstruais fortes.
Many women suffer from strong menstrual cramps.
Ele foi levado ao hospital com cólicas abdominais agudas.
He was taken to the hospital with acute abdominal cramps.
O bebê chorava sem parar devido às cólicas intestinais.
The baby cried incessantly due to intestinal colic.
Para aliviar a cólica, ela tomou um chá de camomila.
To relieve the colic, she drank chamomile tea.
A cólica biliar pode ser um sinal de problemas na vesícula.
Biliary colic can be a sign of gallbladder problems.
É importante consultar um médico se as cólicas persistirem.
It's important to see a doctor if the cramps persist.
Os sintomas incluíam febre e cólicas estomacais.
Symptoms included fever and stomach cramps.
자주 쓰는 조합
자주 쓰는 구문
Estou com muita cólica hoje.
I have a lot of colic today.
A cólica do bebê não o deixa dormir.
The baby's colic doesn't let him sleep.
Preciso de um remédio para cólica menstrual.
I need a medicine for menstrual cramps.
Ele teve uma crise de cólica renal.
He had a kidney colic attack.
Esses chás ajudam a aliviar a cólica.
These teas help to relieve colic.
A cólica intestinal pode ser muito forte.
Intestinal colic can be very strong.
As cólicas noturnas são as piores.
Nighttime colics are the worst.
Você já sentiu essa cólica antes?
Have you felt this colic before?
Ela sempre sofre de cólicas menstruais.
She always suffers from menstrual cramps.
A dor de cólica me impede de trabalhar.
Colic pain prevents me from working.
자주 혼동되는 단어
While 'cólica' is a type of 'dor' (pain), 'dor' is a general term. 'Cólica' specifies the location and nature of the pain.
'Cólica' is often caused by muscle 'espasmos' (spasms) in the intestines, but 'espasmo' itself can occur in any muscle.
'Incômodo' is discomfort or nuisance, much milder than 'cólica'. 'Cólica' is specifically severe pain.
관용어 및 표현
"Estar com cólicas"
To have colicky pain; commonly used to describe menstrual cramps or intestinal discomfort.
Ela está com cólicas menstruais hoje, por isso não vai ao trabalho. (She has menstrual cramps today, that's why she's not going to work.)
neutral"Ter cólica renal"
To have kidney stones (renal colic).
Meu tio teve que ir ao hospital com cólica renal. (My uncle had to go to the hospital with kidney stones.)
neutral"A cólica do bebê"
Infant colic, a common condition in babies.
A cólica do bebê pode ser muito estressante para os pais. (Infant colic can be very stressful for parents.)
neutral"Ter cólica de rir"
To have a stomachache from laughing too much (informal).
Eu estava com cólica de rir depois de assistir àquele filme. (I had a stomachache from laughing after watching that movie.)
informal"Cólica de fome"
A pang of hunger; very strong hunger (informal).
Depois de tantas horas sem comer, eu estava com cólica de fome. (After so many hours without eating, I was with a pang of hunger.)
informal"Passar a cólica"
To relieve the colicky pain.
O remédio ajudou a passar a cólica rapidamente. (The medicine helped to relieve the colic quickly.)
neutral"Sentir uma cólica"
To feel a pang of pain/discomfort in the abdomen.
De repente, senti uma cólica forte no lado direito. (Suddenly, I felt a strong pang of pain on the right side.)
neutral"Cólica biliar"
Biliary colic, pain caused by gallstones.
Ela foi diagnosticada com cólica biliar e precisou de cirurgia. (She was diagnosed with biliary colic and needed surgery.)
formal"Remédio para cólica"
Medicine for colic/cramps.
Você tem algum remédio para cólica? Estou com muita dor. (Do you have any medicine for cramps? I'm in a lot of pain.)
neutral"Ter cólicas antes do parto"
To have Braxton Hicks contractions or early labor pains.
A mulher grávida sentiu cólicas antes do parto, mas ainda não era a hora. (The pregnant woman felt contractions before labor, but it wasn't time yet.)
neutral혼동하기 쉬운
Often confused with cólica, but 'dor de estômago' is a general stomach ache, which can be mild.
'Cólica' is a specific, severe, cramping pain, whereas 'dor de estômago' is a broader term for stomach discomfort.
Eu tenho dor de estômago depois de comer muito. (I have a stomach ache after eating a lot.)
Both 'cólica' and 'cãibra' refer to cramps, but in different parts of the body.
'Cólica' is specifically abdominal pain, while 'cãibra' refers to muscle cramps elsewhere in the body (e.g., leg cramps).
Tive uma cãibra na perna enquanto nadava. (I got a cramp in my leg while swimming.)
Both are severe pains, leading to confusion. However, they affect different areas.
'Cólica' is abdominal pain, whereas 'enxaqueca' is a severe headache or migraine.
Minha enxaqueca é tão forte que não consigo trabalhar. (My migraine is so bad I can't work.)
Both relate to stomach discomfort, but 'azia' is a burning sensation, not a cramping pain.
'Cólica' is a sharp, cramping abdominal pain, while 'azia' is heartburn, a burning sensation in the chest or throat.
Tenho azia depois de comer comida picante. (I have heartburn after eating spicy food.)
Both can occur with digestive issues, but 'náusea' is the feeling of wanting to vomit, not the pain itself.
'Cólica' is the pain, while 'náusea' is the sensation of sickness in the stomach, often preceding vomiting.
Sinto náusea quando viajo de carro. (I feel nauseous when I travel by car.)
어휘 가족
명사
형용사
사용법
When talking about stomach pain, 'cólica' is a common and practical word. It specifically refers to cramping or spasmodic pain, often associated with the digestive system or menstrual cycles. If you have a general stomach ache that isn't necessarily cramping, you might use 'dor de estômago' (stomach pain) or 'dor na barriga' (belly pain).
Examples:
- Ela está com cólica menstrual. (She has menstrual cramps.)
- O bebê chorava por causa da cólica. (The baby was crying because of colic.)
- Depois de comer demais, senti uma cólica forte. (After eating too much, I felt a strong cramp.)
A common mistake is using 'cólica' for any kind of abdominal pain. Remember, it implies a cramping or spasmodic sensation. If someone says 'Estou com dor na barriga', it could be anything from a mild ache to something more serious, but 'cólica' narrows it down to a specific type of pain.
Also, don't confuse 'cólica' with 'cólica renal' (kidney stone pain) or 'cólica biliar' (gallbladder colic), which are specific medical terms where 'cólica' is used as part of a more precise diagnosis.
팁
Related words
When learning 'cólica', it's helpful to also learn related words like 'dor' (pain), 'barriga' (belly), and 'intestino' (intestine) to build your vocabulary efficiently.
Use in sentences
Practice using 'cólica' in simple sentences. For example: 'Eu tenho cólica' (I have colic) or 'Ela sentiu uma cólica forte' (She felt a strong colic).
Distinguish from 'dor de barriga'
While 'cólica' refers to a specific type of abdominal pain, 'dor de barriga' is a more general term for stomach ache. Understand the subtle difference in usage.
Medical context
You'll often hear 'cólica' in a medical context. Familiarize yourself with phrases like 'cólica menstrual' (menstrual cramps) or 'cólica renal' (kidney colic).
Listen to pronunciation
Pay attention to the pronunciation of 'cólica'. The stress is on the first syllable: CÓ-li-ca. This helps with both understanding and speaking.
Flashcards
Create flashcards with 'cólica' on one side and its definition on the other. Include a simple example sentence to reinforce meaning.
Common expressions
Learn common expressions. 'Ter cólicas' (to have colics) is frequently used to describe experiencing this type of pain.
Don't confuse with 'colic'
While 'colic' exists in English, 'cólica' in Portuguese broadly covers various types of severe abdominal pain, not just infant colic. The scope is wider.
Visualize the meaning
When you hear 'cólica', try to visualize the sensation of a cramp or severe internal pain. This can help cement the meaning in your memory.
Regional variations
While 'cólica' is standard, be aware that in some regions, other informal terms might be used for stomach discomfort, though 'cólica' is universally understood.
셀프 테스트 48 질문
Minha amiga tem dor de cabeça. Ela não tem ___________.
The sentence says 'dor de cabeça' (headache), so 'cólica' (colic) is the incorrect option here as it refers to abdominal pain. The other options are also not correct in this context.
Depois de comer muito rápido, o bebê pode ter ___________.
Eating too quickly, especially for babies, can lead to abdominal pain or colic. The other options are unrelated to eating quickly.
A avó do João deu um chá para a ___________ dele.
Chá (tea) is often given to relieve 'cólica' (colic) or abdominal pain. The other options do not make sense with the context of 'chá'.
Se você tem cólica, você sente dor na cabeça.
Cólica is severe pain in the abdomen, not in the head.
Bebês podem ter cólica.
Yes, babies often experience colic, especially in their early months.
Cólica é uma dor no braço.
Cólica is a pain in the abdomen, not in the arm.
Depois de comer muito rápido, tive uma forte ___ no estômago. (After eating too fast, I had a strong ___ in my stomach.)
'Cólica' refers to severe abdominal pain.
O bebê chorava muito por causa da ___. (The baby cried a lot because of the ___.)
Babies often experience colic, causing them to cry intensely.
Ela tomou um remédio para aliviar a ___ menstrual. (She took medicine to relieve the menstrual ___.)
'Cólica menstrual' is a common term for menstrual cramps.
O médico perguntou se eu sentia alguma ___ abdominal. (The doctor asked if I felt any abdominal ___.)
'Cólica abdominal' is a direct way to refer to severe abdominal pain.
Ele teve uma ___ renal e precisou ir ao hospital. (He had a kidney ___ and needed to go to the hospital.)
'Cólica renal' specifically refers to pain caused by kidney stones.
Para evitar ___ intestinais, beba bastante água. (To avoid intestinal ___, drink plenty of water.)
Staying hydrated can help prevent various types of abdominal pain, including intestinal colic.
Your friend cancels plans because of a 'cólica'. Write a short message asking if they are okay and offering to bring them some tea.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Olá! Fiquei sabendo da sua cólica. Você está bem? Posso levar um chá para você?
Describe a time you or someone you know had 'cólica'. What did you do to feel better or help them?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Minha irmã teve cólica ontem. Ela tomou um remédio e eu fiz uma bolsa de água quente para ela. Ela se sentiu um pouco melhor depois.
Imagine you are at a pharmacy in Portugal and need something for 'cólica'. Write what you would say to the pharmacist.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Olá, eu preciso de um remédio para cólica. Você tem algo para dor na barriga?
Por que Ana não foi à escola hoje?
Read this passage:
Ana não foi à escola hoje porque teve uma cólica muito forte. Ela ficou em casa, deitada, e sua mãe fez um chá de camomila para ela. Amanhã ela espera estar melhor para voltar às aulas.
Por que Ana não foi à escola hoje?
O texto diz claramente: 'Ana não foi à escola hoje porque teve uma cólica muito forte.' (Ana didn't go to school today because she had a very strong colic.)
O texto diz claramente: 'Ana não foi à escola hoje porque teve uma cólica muito forte.' (Ana didn't go to school today because she had a very strong colic.)
O que pode causar cólica nas crianças, de acordo com o texto?
Read this passage:
Quando as crianças comem muita comida que não faz bem, às vezes elas podem ter cólica. É importante comer frutas e legumes para evitar essa dor na barriga. Se a dor for muito forte, é bom falar com um médico.
O que pode causar cólica nas crianças, de acordo com o texto?
O texto afirma: 'Quando as crianças comem muita comida que não faz bem, às vezes elas podem ter cólica.' (When children eat a lot of food that is not good, sometimes they can have colic.)
O texto afirma: 'Quando as crianças comem muita comida que não faz bem, às vezes elas podem ter cólica.' (When children eat a lot of food that is not good, sometimes they can have colic.)
O que a avó de João recomenda para aliviar a cólica?
Read this passage:
A avó de João sempre diz que um bom chá de ervas é ótimo para aliviar a cólica. Ela também recomenda colocar uma bolsa de água quente na barriga. João segue os conselhos dela e se sente melhor rapidamente.
O que a avó de João recomenda para aliviar a cólica?
O texto menciona: 'um bom chá de ervas é ótimo para aliviar a cólica. Ela também recomenda colocar uma bolsa de água quente na barriga.' (a good herbal tea is great for relieving colic. She also recommends putting a hot water bottle on the stomach.)
O texto menciona: 'um bom chá de ervas é ótimo para aliviar a cólica. Ela também recomenda colocar uma bolsa de água quente na barriga.' (a good herbal tea is great for relieving colic. She also recommends putting a hot water bottle on the stomach.)
Minha amiga estava com uma cólica tão forte que não conseguia se levantar da cama. O que isso significa?
Cólica se refere a uma dor intensa na região abdominal, geralmente causada por problemas intestinais.
Qual das seguintes frases usa a palavra 'cólica' corretamente?
Cólica é uma dor abdominal. A cólica menstrual é um exemplo comum de cólica em mulheres.
Se alguém diz que está sentindo 'cólica renal', onde essa pessoa provavelmente está sentindo dor?
Cólica renal é uma dor intensa nos rins, que ficam na região lombar.
Cólica é sempre uma dor leve e passageira.
Cólica é frequentemente descrita como uma dor severa e pode não ser passageira sem tratamento.
A palavra 'cólica' pode ser usada para descrever uma dor muscular na perna.
Cólica é especificamente uma dor no abdômen, não em outras partes do corpo como a perna.
Bebês frequentemente sofrem de cólicas intestinais.
Sim, cólicas intestinais são comuns em bebês, causando desconforto e choro.
This sentence describes a child experiencing intense colic after eating.
This sentence indicates that someone drank fennel tea to relieve colic.
This sentence talks about many women experiencing strong menstrual cramps every month.
This sentence describes a painful medical condition.
This sentence discusses a common issue in infants.
This sentence describes an action taken to mitigate pain.
Após a cirurgia, ele sentiu uma cólica intestinal aguda, que os médicos tiveram dificuldade em controlar. Qual das seguintes opções descreve melhor a situação?
A cólica intestinal é caracterizada por dor abdominal severa e espasmos, não dor de cabeça, queimação no peito ou dificuldade respiratória.
Durante a gravidez, muitas mulheres experimentam cólicas uterinas, que podem ser um sinal de contrações. Qual o significado de 'cólica uterina' neste contexto?
Cólica uterina refere-se especificamente a contrações dolorosas no útero, comum durante a gravidez.
A crise de cólica renal deixou-o curvado de dor, exigindo atendimento médico imediato. O que a expressão 'cólica renal' indica?
Cólica renal é uma dor aguda e intensa associada aos rins, geralmente causada por cálculos renais ou obstrução.
É comum que bebês recém-nascidos apresentem cólicas, que geralmente desaparecem após os primeiros meses de vida.
Cólicas em recém-nascidos são um fenômeno comum e muitas vezes se resolvem espontaneamente nos primeiros meses.
A cólica menstrual é uma dor leve e facilmente suportável para a maioria das mulheres.
A intensidade da cólica menstrual varia muito entre as mulheres, e para muitas, pode ser uma dor intensa e debilitante, não leve.
Sentir cólica é sempre um sinal de uma condição médica grave que requer intervenção cirúrgica imediata.
Embora a cólica possa indicar problemas graves, nem sempre é o caso. Muitas vezes, é um sintoma de condições menos sérias ou temporárias, como indigestão ou cólica menstrual, que não exigem cirurgia.
This sentence describes the intensity of renal colic, emphasizing it as one of the most severe pains.
This sentence describes a lingering, mild colic after surgery, indicating a post-operative symptom.
This sentence illustrates a common scenario of an infant crying due to colic.
/ 48 correct
Perfect score!
Related words
When learning 'cólica', it's helpful to also learn related words like 'dor' (pain), 'barriga' (belly), and 'intestino' (intestine) to build your vocabulary efficiently.
Use in sentences
Practice using 'cólica' in simple sentences. For example: 'Eu tenho cólica' (I have colic) or 'Ela sentiu uma cólica forte' (She felt a strong colic).
Distinguish from 'dor de barriga'
While 'cólica' refers to a specific type of abdominal pain, 'dor de barriga' is a more general term for stomach ache. Understand the subtle difference in usage.
Medical context
You'll often hear 'cólica' in a medical context. Familiarize yourself with phrases like 'cólica menstrual' (menstrual cramps) or 'cólica renal' (kidney colic).
관련 콘텐츠
health 관련 단어
abaixar
A2To move (something) to a lower position.
abdómen
B1The part of the body between the chest and the pelvis; belly.
abdômen
A2The part of the body containing the digestive organs; the belly.
abortar
A2To terminate a pregnancy.
abstinência
A2The fact or practice of restraining oneself from indulging in something.
abstinente
A2Refraining from an indulgence or pleasure.
acalmar-se
A2To become quiet and less agitated.
acamado
A2Bedridden; confined to bed by illness or infirmity.
acaso
A2By chance; perhaps.
acidentar
A2To have an accident; to experience an unfortunate incident.
