doctores
/dok-TOH-res/
doctors
The word "doctores" refers to medical practitioners who treat patients.
📝 In Action
Los doctores en el hospital trabajan muchas horas.
A1The doctors in the hospital work many hours.
Necesitamos hablar con los doctores sobre el tratamiento.
A2We need to talk with the doctors about the treatment.
Los doctores dijeron que la operación fue un éxito.
A2The doctors said the operation was a success.
💡 Grammar Points
Masculine Plural Rule
Even if the group of doctors includes both men and women, Spanish uses the masculine plural form 'doctores' as the general, default term.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Doctor' and 'Médico'
Mistake: "Using 'doctor' only for medical professionals when 'médico' is more specific in some regions."
Correction: While 'doctor' works everywhere, 'médico' specifically means 'medical doctor.' Use 'doctores' when you want the general term or formal address.
⭐ Usage Tips
Address Form
In many Spanish-speaking countries, it is very polite and common to address a physician, regardless of gender, as 'Doctor' or 'Doctora' followed by their last name.
In an academic context, "doctores" refers to people who hold a PhD or other high academic degree.
doctores(noun)
doctors
?people holding a PhD or high academic degree
PhDs
?academic title
,professors
?when referring to university faculty
📝 In Action
Los doctores en filosofía debatieron la ética moderna.
B1The doctors (PhDs) in philosophy debated modern ethics.
La junta directiva está compuesta por cinco doctores en economía.
B2The board of directors is composed of five doctors (PhDs) in economics.
💡 Grammar Points
Academic Title
In academic settings, 'doctores' refers to people who have completed the highest level of university education (a doctorate or PhD), not necessarily medical training.
⭐ Usage Tips
Context is Key
If you are in a university, 'doctores' likely means PhDs. If you are in a clinic, it means medical doctors. Let the location tell you the meaning!
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: doctores
Question 1 of 1
¿Cuál de estas oraciones probablemente se refiere a doctores académicos, no médicos?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
¿Cuál es la diferencia entre 'doctores' y 'médicos'?
'Doctores' is the broader term. It can mean medical doctors OR people with a PhD. 'Médicos' specifically refers only to medical doctors. In casual conversation about health, both are usually interchangeable, but 'médicos' is sometimes preferred in Spain.
¿Cómo se dice 'female doctors' (plural) en español?
If you are referring to a group made up only of women, use 'doctoras.' If the group is mixed (men and women), use the masculine plural 'doctores'.