¿Estás ayunar?

Question

Tengo que preguntar “Are you fasting?” antes de tomar una muestra de sangre para algún análisis (azúcar de sangre, lípidos de sangre, etc.).

¿Cuál es la forma correcta?

¿Estás + infinitivo?

I have to ask “Are you fasting” before taking a blood sample for some laboratory analysis (blood sugar, blood lipids, etc.).

What is the proper form for the question?

Thanks for your responses, but I need to add more information. Gracias por su respuestas.

In the clinic, we use the familiar form "tú" after the patient has been initially screened.

En la clínica, utilizamos la forma familiar "tú".

El significado del ayuno, para el laboratorio, es “no comida por ocho horas antes de la muestra”.

The meaning of fasting (for the laboratory, in this case) is "no food for at least the past 8 hours before the test".

Please correct my grammar. I appreciate all the help I can get! :) - 0066c384, Feb 28, 2011

*¿Cuál es la forma correcta?*, *el significado del ayuno*, *por ocho horas* - Deanski, Feb 28, 2011

*para algún análisis* - Deanski, Feb 28, 2011

Gracias, Deanski! :) - 0066c384, Feb 28, 2011

Answer 1

I'm more familiar with people saying 'estar en ayunas' for to be fasting. So something like ¿Está en ayunas?

I agree with you, for me it would be the best form: ¿está en ayunas? - LuisCache, Feb 28, 2011

This is it. Está en ayunas or estás en ayunas... - LuisaGomezBartle, Feb 28, 2011

Thanks, margaret and Luisa. :) - 0066c384, Feb 28, 2011

Answer 2

Estar en ayunas is "to not have eaten (anything)." It is used in this context: Tienes que tomar esta pastilla en ayunas. You have to take this tablet on an empty stomach (before meals). I think "¿Ayunas?" or "¿Estás ayunando?" would better fit the context.

Deanski, thanks for your help, as always! :) - 0066c384, Feb 28, 2011

Answer 3

I would be more inclined to say,

"Have you fasted?"

"¿Ha ayunado?

because if they hadn't fasted for at least 24 hours previously, they would not be able to take the tests.

(At least, that's what I had to do).

Thanks, Nancy! I did not consider that form. "Are you fasting?" is the approved question in English. :) - 0066c384, Feb 28, 2011

Oh, I believe you are right, dogwood! I must have been asked then by rogue aides who were not properly informed - :) :) - NancyGrace, Feb 28, 2011

Thanks, Nancy! I don't know if it is "approved", that's just what we were taught to ask. :) - 0066c384, Feb 28, 2011

Answer 4

If you're speaking with people you don't know, I would use Usted instead of Tú, and if you're using "Está" you need to use the present progressive form of the next verb - ayunando. So, the proper form of the question, if I were asking someone, would be "Está usted ayunando ahora?"

Thank you for your response, and welcome to the forum! :) - 0066c384, Feb 28, 2011

Answer 5

Opino que la forma indicada sería, ¿Haces ayuno?

My opinion is that the correct form would be, Are you fasting?

I would be interested in a native speaker's response.

Thanks, Joe. I would like to hear from a native speaker, too. This is a common question, but it is not in my medical Spanish books. - 0066c384, Feb 28, 2011

Joe, I believe Luisa gave the answer in a coment under margaret's response. - 0066c384, Feb 28, 2011