scanner
/ska.ne/
The English phrase "CT scan" is translated into French as scanner.
Meaning: scan (noun)
Which one should you use?
The formal medical term for a CT scan is tomodensitométrie.
How does it change in a sentence?
When referring to a single CT scan, the formal term is used as une tomodensitométrie.
How do you pronounce it?
/ska.ne/
Did you know?
- In a French hospital, a patient is not just 'scanned' but is said to passer un scanner, literally 'passing a scanner'.
- The word scanner is an adapted borrowing from English, but it exists as a doublet alongside scanneur, which is used more exclusively for the hardware.
- While scanner is the common term, the formal word tomodensitométrie is a precise compound of 'tomo' for slice, 'densito' for density and 'métrie' for measurement.
Examples in context
- Le médecin a recommandé une tomodensitométrie pour évaluer l'étendue de la lésion.The doctor recommended a CT Scan to evaluate the extent of the lesion.
- J'ai passé un scanner pour vérifier mon genou.I had a CT Scan to check my knee.
- Je dois passer un scanner demain.I have to have a CT scan tomorrow.
- Le médecin a demandé un scanner.The doctor requested a CT scan.
- Les résultats du scanner sont arrivés.The CT scan results have arrived.
Example conversation
Emma and Lucas are talking about a medical appointment at home.
- EmmaLucas, est-ce que tu as pris rendez-vous pour ton scanner ?Lucas, did you make an appointment for your CT scan?
- LucasOui, Emma, c'est prévu pour lundi matin.Yes, Emma, it is scheduled for Monday morning.
- EmmaD'accord, je t'accompagnerai à l'hôpital.Okay, I will go with you to the hospital.
- LucasC'est gentil, merci beaucoup.That is kind, thank you very much.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry scanner, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries scanner, CC BY-SA 4.0.
