Translation guide
A medical imaging technique that uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the inside of the body. In Japanese, it is almost always referred to by the abbreviation MRI, pronounced エムアールアイ.
MRI
The standard term in Japanese, used in both medical and everyday contexts.
magnetic resonance imaging
The full technical term, rarely used outside of formal medical documents.
Referring to the procedure or technology of magnetic resonance imaging.
The universally understood abbreviation in Japanese. Used in both spoken and written contexts, from casual conversation to medical reports.
I'm scheduled to have an MRI next week.
The MRI results showed no abnormalities.
The full formal term. Rarely used in everyday conversation; mainly found in academic papers, medical textbooks, or official documents.
Talking about undergoing an MRI examination.
The most common way to say 'MRI scan' or 'MRI examination'. 検査 means 'examination' or 'test'.
I ended up having to get an MRI scan.
Does an MRI scan hurt?
A common colloquial expression meaning 'to take an MRI'. 撮る is the verb used for taking images (photos, X-rays, etc.).
Yesterday I had an MRI of my head taken.
Referring to the physical MRI scanner.
The standard term for the MRI machine or device. 装置 means 'equipment' or 'apparatus'.
This hospital has the latest MRI machine.
In context, just 'MRI' can refer to the machine itself, especially in casual speech.
Apparently the MRI is broken.
In Japanese, the full term 磁気共鳴画像法 is almost never used outside of highly technical contexts. Even in medical settings, doctors and patients say 'MRI' (エムアールアイ). Using the full term may sound overly formal or pedantic.
In Japanese, CT scan is 'CT' (シーティー) or 'CTスキャン'. Both are common imaging techniques, but MRI uses magnets while CT uses X-rays. When explaining the difference, you can say: MRIは磁石、CTはX線を使います。
MRI uses magnets, and CT uses X-rays.
Magnetic resonance imaging does not use radiation.