Achaque

Achaque is a noun used in Portuguese and Spanish to denote an ailment, illness, or general malaise. It typically refers to a health problem that is not a specific disease, or to a recurring or chronic feeling of unwellness. The term can describe a single complaint or a collection of bothersome symptoms.

Etymology and register: The word has deep roots in Iberian usage and appears in older and regional speech. The exact origin is uncertain, but achaque has long been part of everyday language to capture a sense of bodily discomfort or indisposition rather than a precise medical diagnosis. It is commonly found in both singular and plural forms, achaque and achaques, and can carry a slightly informal or antiquated tone depending on context.

Usage and nuance: In contemporary speech, phrases like ter um achaque (to have a minor ailment) or enfrentar os achaques da idade (to deal with the aches and pains of aging) illustrate its broad sense. Achaques can be physical, such as discomfort or aches, or more general malaise affecting mood or energy. Because it is non-specific, it is not used in clinical settings as a precise diagnosis.

See also: Malaise, illness, ailment, pain, the aches of age.