prueba de Papanicolau
/pɾweba de papanikolau/from spelling rulesfeminine
The English phrase "pap smear" is translated into Spanish as prueba de Papanicolau. Wiktionary also lists papanicolau and frotis vaginal.
Meaning: gynaecology: screening test (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| prueba de Papanicolau | /pɾweba de papanikolau/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| papanicolau | /papanikolau/ (from spelling rules) | |
| frotis vaginal | /fɾotis baxinal/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
In a gynecological context, this term refers to the screening test.
Which one should you use?
prueba de Papanicolau is the standard name for the screening test, while frotis vaginal is a more technical, clinical term for the procedure itself. The shortened form papanicolau is used colloquially.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because the head noun is prueba (test), the phrase is feminine and requires feminine articles like la.
Did you know?
- While English uses 'smear' to describe the action, the Spanish term frotis is a loanword from the French word frottis, which shares the same root of rubbing or friction.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, the word citología is used as a common synonym for papanicolau to refer to the screening process.
- The term Papanicolau is a proper noun derived from the name of the Greek-American physician George Papanicolaou, who developed the test.
Examples in context
- La prueba de Papanicolau es muy importante.The Pap smear is very important.
- Tengo que hacerme la prueba de Papanicolau mañana.I have to get my Pap smear done tomorrow.
- El médico me pidió una prueba de Papanicolau.The doctor asked me for a Pap smear.
Example conversation
Sofía is telling Mateo about her upcoming medical appointment.
- SofíaMateo, tengo que ir al médico para una prueba de Papanicolau.Mateo, I have to go to the doctor for a Pap smear.
- MateoEs un chequeo de rutina, ¿verdad?It is a routine checkup, right?
- SofíaSí, es parte de mi control anual.Yes, it is part of my annual checkup.
- MateoQué bueno que seas tan responsable con tu salud.It's good that you are so responsible with your health.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pap smear” translations and entries papanicolau, 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 de, frotis, prueba, vaginal, CC BY-SA 4.0.
