tac
“tac” means “CT scan” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
CT scan
Also: CAT scan
📝 In Action
El médico me mandó un TAC para ver el estado de mi rodilla.
B1The doctor ordered a CT scan to see the condition of my knee.
Los resultados del TAC estarán listos en tres días.
B1The CT scan results will be ready in three days.
No te preocupes, hacerse un TAC no duele nada.
A2Don't worry, getting a CT scan doesn't hurt at all.
click
Also: tap
📝 In Action
Escuché el tac, tac, tac de sus tacones en el pasillo.
A2I heard the tap, tap, tap of her heels in the hallway.
Al cerrar la puerta, se oyó un ligero tac.
B1When closing the door, a light click was heard.
El reloj marcaba los segundos con un suave tac.
B2The clock marked the seconds with a soft tick.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: tac
Question 1 of 3
If you are at a hospital and the doctor says you need a 'TAC', what are they asking for?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
The medical sense is an acronym for 'Tomografía Axial Computarizada.' The sound sense is onomatopoeic, created to mimic the actual noise of a sharp strike.
First recorded: Medical usage: Late 20th century (with the invention of the technology). Sound usage: Ancient origins.
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'TAC' always written in capital letters?
Not necessarily. While it is an acronym, it has become so common that you will often see it written as 'tac' or 'Tac' in medical reports and informal texts.
Is a TAC the same as an MRI?
No. In Spanish, an MRI is called a 'resonancia' (short for resonancia magnética). A 'TAC' uses X-rays, while a 'resonancia' uses magnets.
How do I pluralize 'TAC'?
Usually, the article changes but the word stays the same: 'los TAC'. However, some people informally say 'los TACs'.