Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Ultrasound in Spanish
Ultrasonido · noun · ool-trah-soh-NEE-doh
While 'ultrasonido' refers to the sound waves themselves, 'ecografía' is the more common term for the medical imaging procedure. In Mexico, 'ecosonograma' is also frequently used in clinical settings for the actual scan.
For 'ultrasonido,' pronounced ool-trah-soh-NEE-doh. For 'ecografía,' pronounced eh-koh-grah-FEE-ah. Both are stressed on the indicated syllable.
La doctora me programó una ecografía para la próxima semana.
The doctor scheduled an ultrasound for me next week.
Ultrasound in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for ultrasound, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| ultrasonido | ultrasound | ool-trah-soh-NEE-doh | Default, widely understood |
| ecografía | ultrasound | the imaging procedure | |
| ecosonograma | ultrasound | Mexico medical |
How Native Speakers Use Ultrasonido
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Pregnancy checkup
En la ecografía pudimos ver al bebé por primera vez.
In the ultrasound we could see the baby for the first time.
Prenatal imaging during pregnancy.
Medical diagnosis
El médico ordenó un ultrasonido abdominal para revisar el hígado.
The doctor ordered an abdominal ultrasound to check the liver.
Diagnostic imaging for internal organs.
Physical therapy
Me aplicaron ultrasonido terapéutico en la rodilla lesionada.
They applied therapeutic ultrasound to my injured knee.
Ultrasound used in physical rehabilitation.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Ultrasonido
Using ultrasonido for the image
Incorrect: ¿Me puede mostrar el ultrasonido del bebé?
Correct: ¿Me puede mostrar la ecografía del bebé?
While understood, 'ecografía' is technically correct for the image/procedure, whereas 'ultrasonido' refers to the sound wave technology itself.
Gender confusion with ecografía
Incorrect: El ecografía salió bien.
Correct: La ecografía salió bien.
Ecografía is feminine, requiring the feminine article 'la' and feminine adjective agreement.
Lock in Ultrasound Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Ultrasonido used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using ultrasonido in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear La doctora me programó una ecografía para la próxima semana. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Ultrasound in Spanish
- What is the difference between ultrasonido and ecografía?
- Technically, 'ultrasonido' refers to the high-frequency sound waves used in the technology, while 'ecografía' refers to the medical imaging procedure and the resulting image, though in everyday speech they are often used interchangeably.
- How do I say 'ultrasound technician'?
- An ultrasound technician is called 'ecografista' or 'técnico en ultrasonido,' with 'ecografista' being more commonly used in clinical settings across Spanish-speaking countries.
- Is ecosonograma only used in Mexico?
- The term 'ecosonograma' is predominantly used in Mexico and some Central American countries, while 'ecografía' is the standard medical term used in Spain and most of South America.