IMC
/imk/from spelling rulesmasculine
The English phrase 'BMI' is translated into Spanish as IMC.
IMC is the acronym for 'body mass index' in Spanish. It is a masculine noun.
Meaning: body mass index (noun)
Which one should you use?
While English speakers use the acronym BMI, Spanish speakers use the acronym IMC, which reverses the order of the words 'mass' and 'index'.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because 'índice' is a masculine noun, the acronym IMC is used with the masculine article 'el'.
How do you pronounce it?
/imk/
Did you know?
- The word índice (index) comes from the Latin word for 'forefinger', as the finger was used to point out or indicate specific items in a list.
- Because Spanish is a Romance language, the acronym IMC is identical to the ones used in French (IMC for 'indice de masse corporelle') and Italian (IMC for 'indice di massa corporea').
- The word corpórea from índice de masa corpórea shares a root with the English word 'corpse', though it refers simply to the living physical body.
Examples in context
- Se considera que una persona con un IMC de 25 a 29 padece sobrepeso.A person with a BMI of 25 to 29 is considered overweight.This sentence shows how the term IMC is used to define the category of being overweight.Tatoeba #1336782 by marcelostockle, translation #1141311 by Source_VOA
- La aplicación te permite calcular rápidamente la proporción del índice de masa corporal – IMC.The application allows you to quickly calculate the ratio of body mass index – BMI.This sentence illustrates how IMC can be used to describe the calculation of the body mass index ratio.Tatoeba #1166717 by marcelostockle, translation #1131479 by perry
- Las categorías del IMC (por debajo del peso normal, sobrepeso o obeso) de la tabla de lectura general no son apropiadas para atletas, niños, ancianos y enfermos.BMI categories (underweight, overweight or obese) from general reading table are inappropriate for athletes, children, the elderly, and the infirm.This sentence demonstrates how IMC categories are applied to different groups of people.Tatoeba #1166722 by marcelostockle, translation #1131481 by perry
- El Índice de Masa Corporal es una medida utilizada para evaluar si una persona tiene un peso saludable.The Body Mass Index is a measure used to evaluate if a person has a healthy weight.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are discussing health results at a clinic.
- DanielElena, ¿cuál fue tu resultado del IMC?Elena, what was your BMI result?
- ElenaMi IMC está en el rango normal.My BMI is in the normal range.
- DanielEso es bueno, yo debo bajar el mío.That's good, I need to lower mine.
- ElenaPodemos empezar a hacer ejercicio juntos, Daniel.We can start exercising together, Daniel.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bmi” translations and entries IMC, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
