doctores
“doctores” means “doctors” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
doctors
Also: physicians
📝 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.
doctors
Also: PhDs, professors
📝 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.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: doctores
Question 1 of 1
¿Cuál de estas oraciones probablemente se refiere a doctores académicos, no médicos?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes directly from the Latin word 'doctor,' which originally meant 'teacher' or 'instructor.' Because physicians and academics were historically the most learned people, the title 'doctor' became associated with both professions.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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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'.