eco
/EH-ko/
echo
The word 'eco' can mean 'echo', like sound waves bouncing off a mountain.
eco(noun)
echo
?a sound that reflects off a surface
trace / sign
?a metaphorical hint of something past
📝 In Action
El eco en la montaña era impresionante.
A2The echo in the mountain was impressive.
Sus palabras encontraron eco en la multitud.
B2His words resonated (found an echo) within the crowd.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Masculine
When talking about sound, this word is masculine. You should always use 'el' or 'un' before it.
⭐ Usage Tips
Metaphorical use
You can use 'hacer eco' when you want to say that you are repeating what someone else said to make sure it's heard.
As an adjective, 'eco' describes something eco-friendly or organic.
📝 In Action
Compré manzanas eco en el mercado.
B1I bought organic apples at the market.
Es una marca muy eco.
B2It is a very eco-friendly brand.
💡 Grammar Points
Shortened Form
This is a shortcut for the long word 'ecológico.' It usually doesn't change its form whether the thing it describes is masculine, feminine, singular, or plural.
In a medical context, 'eco' is short for an ultrasound scan.
📝 In Action
Le hicieron una eco para ver cómo estaba el bebé.
B2They gave her an ultrasound to see how the baby was doing.
💡 Grammar Points
The Gender Secret
When 'eco' means a medical scan, it is feminine ('la eco') because it is short for 'la ecografía.' This is a great way to tell it apart from a sound echo ('el eco').
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: eco
Question 1 of 1
If you are going to the doctor for a scan of your stomach, which do you say?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'eco' and 'bio' the same?
In Spanish, both are used to mean organic or environmentally friendly. 'Eco' is more common for products that don't harm the planet, while 'bio' often refers to organic food.
Can 'eco' be a verb?
No, 'eco' is only a noun or an adjective. To say 'to echo,' you would use the verb 'resonar' or the phrase 'hacer eco'.