radiografía
/radjoɡɾaˈfia/
The English phrase "xray" is translated into Spanish as radiografía.
The term refers to an image of the inside of the body taken using electromagnetic radiation. In a medical context, when asking for 'an x-ray', you would typically use the singular noun una radiografía.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, particularly Mexico, the term placas is used to mean an x-ray.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of radiografía is radiografías.
How do you pronounce it?
/radjoɡɾaˈfia/
Did you know?
- The suffix -grafía in radiografía comes from the Greek word for 'writing', meaning the x-ray is literally a 'radiation writing'.
- Spanish distinguishes between the radiation itself, called rayos X, and the resulting medical image, which is called radiografía.
- Unlike the English 'x-ray', which uses a letter to denote an unknown, the Spanish term radiografía describes the physical process of radiation.
Examples in context
- El médico solicitará una radiografía de tu tobillo.The doctor will request an x-ray of your ankle.
- El doctor revisó las placas y no encontró ninguna anomalía.The doctor reviewed the x-rays and found no abnormalities.
- Necesito una radiografía de la mano.I need an x-ray of my hand.
- El doctor pidió una radiografía de tórax.The doctor ordered a chest x-ray.
- ¿Ya tienes los resultados de la radiografía?Do you have the x-ray results yet?
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are at the hospital waiting room.
- Daniel¿Te han dado ya la radiografía?Have they given you the x-ray yet?
- ElenaNo, todavía estoy esperando los resultados.No, I am still waiting for the results.
- DanielEspero que la radiografía salga bien.I hope the x-ray comes out fine.
- ElenaGracias, Daniel, espero que sí.Thanks, Daniel, I hope so too.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry radiografía, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries radiografía, CC BY-SA 4.0.
