When learning Spanish, one of the first practical vocabulary items you might encounter is how do you say vomit in Spanish. Knowing the correct term—and its variations—helps you communicate health concerns, understand medical instructions, or simply figure out everyday conversations with confidence. Below is a complete walkthrough that covers the standard translation, verb and noun forms, regional differences, formal versus informal usage, common phrases, medical terminology, slang, idiomatic expressions, and example sentences to ensure you can use the word accurately in any context.
Basic Translation: Vomit as a Verb and a Noun
The English verb to vomit translates most directly to vomitar in Spanish. As a noun, vomit becomes vómito (pronounced VOmee-to). Both words are understood across the Spanish‑speaking world, though pronunciation and usage can shift slightly depending on the country.
- Vomitar – to vomit (verb)
- Vómito – vomit (noun)
Él tuvo que vomitar después de comer demasiado.
He had to vomit after eating too much.
Verb Conjugations: How to Use “Vomitar” in Different Tenses
Because vomitar is a regular -ar verb, its conjugation follows the standard pattern. Below are the most useful tenses for everyday conversation No workaround needed..
| Tense | Yo | Tú | Él/Ella/Usted | Nosotros | Vosotros | Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Present | vomito | vomitas | vomita | vomitamos | vomitáis | vomitan |
| Preterite | vomité | vomitaste | vomitó | vomitamos | vomitasteis | vomitaron |
| Imperfect | vomitaba | vomitabas | vomitaba | vomitábamos | vomitabais | vomitaban |
| Future | vomitaré | vomitarás | vomitará | vomitaremos | vomitaréis | vomitarán |
| Conditional | vomitaría | vomitarías | vomitaría | vomitaríamos | vomitaríais | vomitarían |
| Present Subjunctive | vomite | vomites | vomite | vomitemos | vomitéis | vomiten |
| Imperative (affirmative) | — | vomita | — | vomitémos | vomitad | — |
Note: In many Latin American regions, the vosotros form is rarely used; instead, ustedes covers both formal and informal plural situations.
Noun Forms and Related Vocabulary
While vómito is the standard noun, Spanish offers several related terms that can be useful depending on the register Worth keeping that in mind..
| Spanish Term | Literal Meaning | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| el vómito | the vomit | Neutral, medical, or everyday context |
| la náusea | nausea | Feeling of sickness before vomiting |
| el arcado | retching | The act of trying to vomit without producing much |
| el regurgitado | regurgitated matter | Often used in clinical descriptions |
| el desecho gástrico | gastric waste | Formal or technical language |
Example:
Después de la cirugía, el paciente tuvo varios episodios de vómito y náusea.
After the surgery, the patient experienced several episodes of vomiting and nausea.
Regional Variations and Synonyms
Although vomitar and vómito are universally understood, certain countries favor colloquial alternatives. Being aware of these can help you sound more natural when speaking with locals And it works..
| Region | Slang / Colloquial Term | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico | echar la cubeta, soltar el contenido | Literally “to throw the bucket” or “to release the content. |
| Spain | echar la pota, devolver el contenido | “Echar la pota” is common in casual speech. ” |
| Argentina / Uruguay | tirar la morsa, eatar la morsa | Informal, often used among friends. On top of that, |
| Chile | eatar el pollo, botar el almuerzo | Playful expressions; “eatar” is a local twist on echar. |
| Caribbean (Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic) | botar la comida, soltar el bubu | “Bubú” is a childish term for stomach contents. |
While these expressions are colorful, they are best reserved for informal settings. In medical or formal environments, stick with vomitar and vómito And that's really what it comes down to..
Formal vs. Informal Usage
Choosing the right level of formality depends on your audience and setting.
- Formal / Medical: Use vomitar (verb) and vómito (noun). Example: El paciente presenta episodios de vómito persistente.
- Neutral Everyday: Same terms work fine in most conversations.
- Informal / Slang: Opt for regional phrases like echar la cubeta (Mexico) or tirar la morsa (Argentina).
- Child‑Speak: Parents might say hacer “puaj” or use onomatopoeic sounds like ¡bluu! when talking to toddlers.
Common Phrases and Expressions
Learning set phrases helps you sound fluent. Below are frequently used constructions that include vomitar or vómito Nothing fancy..
| Spanish Phrase | English Equivalent | Context |
|---|---|---|
| tener ganas de vomitar | to feel like vomiting | Expresses nausea |
| vomitar sangre | to vomit blood | Medical emergency |
| no poder detener el vómito | unable to stop vomiting | Describes persistent symptoms |
| estar verde de vómito | to be green with vomit (figurative) | Used humorously to describe extreme sickness |
| darle de comer a alguien y que lo vomite | to feed someone and they throw it up | Often used when discussing babies or pets |
| **pasar mala |
