ensayo clínico
/ensaʝo kliniko/from spelling rulesmasculine
The English phrase "clinical trial" is translated into Spanish as ensayo clínico.
Meaning: test (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, you may use estudio clínico or prueba clínica as valid alternatives. In Colombia, experimento clínico is often used. In Peru, ensayo clínico is the most common term.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because ensayo is a masculine noun, you use the masculine indefinite article un to say "a clinical trial" (un ensayo clínico). The plural form is ensayos clínicos.
Did you know?
- While ensayo means 'trial' in a medical context, it is also the standard word for a 'rehearsal' for a play or a musical performance.
- The word clínico comes from the Ancient Greek word klínē, which means 'the bed'. This reflects a time when medical care happened primarily at the patient's bedside.
- The word ensayo is the same word used for a school 'essay'. Both terms share a root meaning to test or try something out.
Examples in context
- El ensayo clínico que se realiza en este hospital es de vital importancia para el desarrollo de nuevas terapias.The clinical trial being conducted in this hospital is of vital importance for the development of new therapies.
- Estoy interesado en participar en un ensayo clínico para probar un tratamiento contra el cáncer.I am interested in participating in a clinical trial to test a treatment against cancer.
- Participé en una prueba experimental para una vacuna contra la gripe.I participated in an experimental trial for a flu vaccine.
- Están llevando a cabo un experimento clínico con pacientes voluntarios para probar un nuevo medicamento.They are carrying out a clinical experiment with volunteer patients to test a new medicine.
- El nuevo fármaco está siendo sometido a un ensayo clínico.The new drug is being subjected to a clinical trial.
- El ensayo clínico comenzó ayer.The clinical trial started yesterday.
- Necesitamos un ensayo clínico más grande.We need a larger clinical trial.
- Los resultados del ensayo clínico son positivos.The results of the clinical trial are positive.
Example conversation
Two doctors are discussing a new medical study in a hospital.
- Elena¿Ya revisaste los datos del ensayo clínico, Mateo?Have you reviewed the clinical trial data yet, Mateo?
- MateoSí, Elena, todo parece estar en orden.Yes, Elena, everything seems to be in order.
- ElenaMe alegra que el ensayo clínico sea un éxito.I am glad the clinical trial is a success.
- MateoEs un gran avance para nosotros.It is a great breakthrough for us.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “clinical trial” translations, 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.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries clínico, ensayo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
