Inklingo

How to Say "physician" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “physician” is “doctor” — use 'doctor' as a general and widely understood term for a medical doctor, suitable for most everyday situations and slightly more formal than a casual reference..

English → Spanish

doctor

/dok-TOR//dokˈtoɾ/

NounA1Formal
Use 'doctor' as a general and widely understood term for a medical doctor, suitable for most everyday situations and slightly more formal than a casual reference.
A friendly doctor in a white coat with a stethoscope around their neck, representing a medical professional.

Examples

Necesito una cita con el doctor.

I need an appointment with the doctor.

Mi hermana es doctora en un hospital.

My sister is a doctor at a hospital.

El doctor me dijo que necesito descansar.

The doctor told me I need to rest.

Masculine and Feminine Forms

This word changes based on who you're talking about. Use 'doctor' for a man and 'doctora' for a woman. For example: 'El doctor es amable' (The male doctor is kind), 'La doctora es amable' (The female doctor is kind).

Using Titles with Names

When talking about a doctor using their last name, you usually add 'el' or 'la'. For example, 'El doctor García no trabaja hoy'. But when you talk to them directly, you drop the 'el' or 'la': 'Buenos días, doctor García'.

Forgetting the Feminine Form

Mistake: “Mi madre es un doctor muy famoso.”

Correction: Mi madre es una doctora muy famosa. (Since 'madre' is female, you need to use the feminine form 'doctora' and the matching article 'una').

médico

NounA1Formal
Employ 'médico' when you want to be more formal or emphasize the professional role of the physician, often used in official contexts or when referring to the medical profession generally.

Examples

Tengo una cita con el médico mañana.

I have an appointment with the doctor tomorrow.

Dra.

AbbreviationA1Formal
Use 'Dra.' (or 'Dr.' for a male physician) as a direct abbreviation for 'doctor' when addressing or referring to a specific medical professional by title.

Examples

La Dra. Ramírez me atendió muy bien en la clínica.

Dr. Ramírez took very good care of me at the clinic.

Doctor vs. Médico

The most common confusion is between 'doctor' and 'médico'. While both mean 'physician', 'doctor' is more common in everyday speech and can also refer to someone with a PhD. 'Médico' specifically refers to a medical doctor and is generally more formal.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.