mcg
/mɡɡ/from spelling rules
mcg is the Spanish abbreviation for the English term microgram.
mcg is used as an abbreviation for a unit of mass used to measure very small amounts of a substance.
How do you pronounce it?
/mɡɡ/
Did you know?
- In Spanish medical contexts, the symbol µg is often discouraged in favor of mcg to prevent a handwritten 'µ' from being mistaken for an 'm', which could lead to a ten-thousand-fold dosage error.
- The prefix micro- in Spanish follows the same Greek origin as in English, meaning 'small', but in Spanish it is never hyphenated to the noun it modifies.
- Spanish pharmacists may write out microgramos in full on prescriptions to ensure it is not misread as mg, the abbreviation for milligrams.
Examples in context
- La dosis es de 50 mcg.The dose is 50 mcg.
- Necesito exactamente 10 mcg de esta sustancia.I need exactly 10 mcg of this substance.
- El frasco contiene 200 mcg por mililitro.The bottle contains 200 mcg per milliliter.
Example conversation
At a pharmacy, Javier is asking about his medication.
- Javier¿Cuántos mcg tiene cada pastilla?How many mcg does each pill have?
- ElenaCada pastilla tiene 25 mcg, Javier.Each pill has 25 mcg, Javier.
- JavierEntendido, gracias por la información.Understood, thanks for the information.
- ElenaDe nada, que te mejores.You're welcome, feel better.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
