Spanish Phrase
Cúbrelo sin apretarlo con un apósito estéril.
Meaning
A medical instruction telling someone to cover a wound or injury without applying pressure, using a sterile dressing. It emphasizes gentle handling to avoid further damage or bleeding.
When to use
Use this phrase in first‑aid training, hospital or clinic settings, or when giving a patient clear, step‑by‑step wound‑care instructions. It is appropriate for both spoken and written medical guidance.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Cúbrelosinapretarloconunapósitoestéril
Imperativo + pronombre
Cúbrelo combines the imperative form of cubrir (cubre) with the direct object pronoun lo, meaning ‘cover it’.
sin + infinitivo
The construction sin apretarlo uses sin followed by an infinitive verb with a pronoun, indicating ‘without squeezing it’.
Pronombre enclítico en infinitivo
Apretarlo attaches the pronoun -lo to the infinitive apretar, showing the action is performed on the same object.
Noun + adjective order
In Spanish, the adjective usually follows the noun: un apósito estéril (a sterile dressing).
🗨In Conversation
¿Qué debo hacer con la herida?
What should I do with the wound?
Cúbrelo sin apretarlo con un apósito estéril.
Cover it without squeezing it with a sterile dressing.
✕Common Mistakes
Cúbrelo sin apriétalo con un apósito estéril.
The verb should stay in infinitive after sin; use apretarlo, not the imperative apriétalo.
Cúbrelo sin apretarlo con un aposito estéril.
The correct spelling is apósito (with accent on the first a).
Cúbrelo sin apretar con un apósito estéril.
Do not drop the pronoun; the action refers to the same object (lo).
↔Alternatives
Colócale un apósito estéril sin presionarlo.
Place a sterile dressing on it without pressing.
Pónle un vendaje estéril sin apretar.
Put a sterile bandage on it without squeezing.
Cúbrelo suavemente con un apósito estéril.
Cover it gently with a sterile dressing.
Cultural Tip
In Spanish‑speaking medical environments the term apósito is preferred over bandage for sterile dressings. Keep a formal tone (usted) when speaking to patients you do not know well, and always pair the instruction with a demonstration to avoid misunderstandings.