Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say X-Ray in Spanish
Radiografía · noun · rah-dee-oh-grah-FEE-ah
Radiografía is the Spanish noun for an X-ray image or the procedure of taking one. Rayos X refers to the X-rays themselves as a form of electromagnetic radiation. Radiografía is feminine (la radiografía), while rayos X is masculine plural (los rayos X).
rah-dee-oh-grah-FEE-ah / RRAH-yohs EH-kees
El médico pidió una radiografía del tobillo.
The doctor ordered an X-ray of the ankle.
X Ray in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for x ray, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| radiografía | x ray | rah-dee-oh-grah-FEE-ah | Default, widely understood |
| rayos X | x ray | the rays or radiation itself |
How Native Speakers Use Radiografía
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
At the hospital
La radiografía muestra una fractura en el hueso.
The X-ray shows a fracture in the bone.
Radiografía is used when talking about the resulting image a doctor examines.
Describing the technology
Los rayos X fueron descubiertos por Wilhelm Röntgen en 1895.
X-rays were discovered by Wilhelm Röntgen in 1895.
Rayos X refers to the radiation itself, not the medical image.
Dental visit
La dentista tomó una radiografía panorámica antes de la extracción.
The dentist took a panoramic X-ray before the extraction.
Tomar una radiografía is the standard expression for 'to take an X-ray.'
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Radiografía
Saying rayo X for the image
Incorrect: El doctor me mostró el rayo X.
Correct: El doctor me mostró la radiografía.
Rayo X refers to the radiation beam, not the resulting diagnostic image. Use radiografía for the picture.
Wrong article with radiografía
Incorrect: Necesito un radiografía del pecho.
Correct: Necesito una radiografía del pecho.
Radiografía is a feminine noun and requires the feminine article una, not un.
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Why word lists alone don't stick
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See Radiografía used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using radiografía in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear El médico pidió una radiografía del tobillo. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About X Ray in Spanish
- When do I use radiografía versus rayos X?
- Use radiografía when you mean the medical image or the procedure (hacerse una radiografía). Use rayos X when referring to the electromagnetic radiation itself or the technology in general.
- How do I say 'I need an X-ray' in Spanish?
- Say Necesito una radiografía. If a doctor is ordering one, they might say Vamos a hacerle una radiografía.
- Is the X in rayos X pronounced like in English?
- In Spanish, the letter X is pronounced 'equis,' so rayos X is said RRAH-yohs EH-kees. You will occasionally hear people say rayos equis in full.