ecografía
/ekoɡɾafia/from spelling rules
The English word ultrasound is translated into Spanish as ecografía.
In a medical context, ecografía is the standard term used to refer to the medical procedure or the resulting image. While the word ultrasonido can be used to describe the physical sound waves themselves, ecografía is the preferred term for the actual scan.
Meaning: use of ultrasound (noun)
Which one should you use?
ultrasonido refers to the physical phenomenon of sound waves, whereas ecografía is used for the medical procedure or the image produced. For more formal documentation, you may see the term ultrasonografía or the phrase estudio por ultrasonido used to express an ultrasound study.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, sonograma is used interchangeably with ecografía or ultrasonido. In Argentina and Uruguay, an ultrasound with Doppler is specifically referred to as eco Doppler.
How does it change in a sentence?
ecografía is a feminine noun. You can say una ecografía to mean an ultrasound, and the plural form is ecografías.
How do you pronounce it?
/ekoɡɾafia/
Did you know?
- The word ecografía is built from the Greek roots echo meaning 'sound' and graphia meaning 'writing' or 'recording'.
- While ecografía is the standard in Spain, the word sonograma is common in the Caribbean as a direct loanword from English.
- Using the word ultrasonido to describe a medical appointment may make a speaker sound like they are discussing a physics lecture rather than a doctor's visit.
Examples in context
- El médico sugirió hacer una ecografía para evaluar su condición.The doctor suggested doing an ultrasound to evaluate his/her condition.
- Creo que debería hacerme un eco para verificar cómo está el bebé.I think I should have an ultrasound to check how the baby is.
- La ecografía fue muy rápida.The ultrasound was very quick.
- Necesito programar una ecografía.I need to schedule an ultrasound.
- El doctor solicitó una ecografía abdominal.The doctor requested an abdominal ultrasound.
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are at a medical clinic.
- LucíaHola Mateo, ¿vienes para tu ecografía?Hello Mateo, are you here for your ultrasound?
- MateoSí, Lucía, tengo la cita a las diez.Yes, Lucía, I have the appointment at ten.
- LucíaEl médico ya está listo para la ecografía.The doctor is already ready for the ultrasound.
- MateoPerfecto, voy a entrar ahora mismo.Perfect, I'm going in right now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
