📝 In Action
Necesito una cita con el Dr. Ramírez.
A1I need an appointment with Dr. Ramírez.
El Dr. Morales es un experto en historia antigua.
B1Dr. Morales is an expert in ancient history.
💡 Grammar Points
What It Stands For
'Dr.' is simply the short way to write 'doctor'. You almost always see it used as a title right before someone's name.
Masculine vs. Feminine
Spanish has different forms for men and women. Use 'Dr.' for a male doctor ('doctor') and 'Dra.' for a female doctor ('doctora').
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the Period
Mistake: "Hablé con el Dr Garcia."
Correction: Hablé con el Dr. Garcia. In Spanish, abbreviations like this almost always need a period at the end.
Using 'Dr.' for a Woman
Mistake: "La Dr. Sánchez es mi médica."
Correction: La Dra. Sánchez es mi médica. Remember to use 'Dra.' (for 'doctora') when referring to a female doctor.
⭐ Usage Tips
When to Capitalize
Just like in English, 'Dr.' is capitalized when it comes right before a name, like 'Dr. Ramos'. If you're just talking about 'a doctor' in general, you use the full, lowercase word: 'Necesito un doctor'.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: dr.
Question 1 of 1
Which of these sentences is written correctly in Spanish?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'Dr.' and 'Dra.'?
'Dr.' is used for a man (doctor), and 'Dra.' is used for a woman (doctora). It's important to match the title to the person's gender.
Do I always need to put a period after 'Dr'?
Yes, in standard written Spanish, abbreviations for titles like 'Dr.' (doctor), 'Sr.' (señor), or 'Ud.' (usted) always end with a period.
Can I use 'Dr.' to talk about someone with a Ph.D.?
Absolutely! Just like in English, 'Dr.' can refer to a medical doctor or someone who has earned a doctorate in any field.