estetoscopio
/estetosˈkopjo/masculine
The English word stethoscope is estetoscopio in Spanish.
Meaning: medical instrument (noun)
Which one should you use?
The most common and standardized term is estetoscopio. You may also encounter the formal term fonendoscopio or informal abbreviations and contractions such as fonendo and esteto.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a masculine noun, estetoscopio is preceded by the masculine article el (e.g., el estetoscopio) rather than the feminine la.
How do you pronounce it?
/estetosˈkopjo/
Did you know?
- The word estetoscopio entered the Spanish language as a loanword from the French stéthoscope.
- The term estetoscopio belongs to a large family of Spanish observation words, such as telescopio and microscopio, because they all share the same Greek-derived suffix.
- The more formal term fonendoscopio comes from the Greek word for 'sound', highlighting the device's function of listening rather than its physical shape.
Examples in context
- El doctor puso un estetoscopio en el pecho del paciente.The doctor placed a stethoscope on the patient's chest.This sentence shows how to use estetoscopio in a medical context.Tatoeba #1937848 by marcelostockle, translation #27994 by CK
- Tengo que comprar un estetoscopio nuevo.I have to buy a new stethoscope.
- El doctor utilizó el estetoscopio para auscultar mi corazón.The doctor used the stethoscope to listen to my heart.
- El fonendoscopio permite auscultar los pulmones.The stethoscope allows for listening to the lungs.
- El médico necesita su fonendoscopio para revisar al paciente.The doctor needs his stethoscope to examine the patient.
- Voy a colocar el esteto para escuchar tus pulmones.I'm going to put on the stethoscope to listen to your lungs.
- Presté mi esteto al enfermero para que pudiera auscultar al paciente.I lent my stethoscope to the nurse so he could listen to the patient's heart.
- El estetoscopio está sobre la mesa.The stethoscope is on the table.
- Necesito un estetoscopio para la revisión.I need a stethoscope for the checkup.
Example conversation
A medical clinic during a shift change.
- MateoMaría, ¿has visto mi estetoscopio?María, have you seen my stethoscope?
- MaríaCreo que lo tienes en tu bolsillo, Mateo.I think you have it in your pocket, Mateo.
- MateoTienes razón, gracias.You're right, thanks.
- MaríaDe nada, doctor.You're welcome, doctor.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stethoscope” translations and entries estetoscopio, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries estetoscopio, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
