clínico
/kliniko/from spelling rules
The Spanish word for clinician is clínico.
clínico refers to a doctor working in a clinic.
Meaning: doctor working in a clinic (noun)
Which one should you use?
While clínico refers to the person (a clinician), it also functions as an adjective meaning 'clinical'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine plural form of the noun is clínicos.
How do you pronounce it?
/kliniko/
Did you know?
- The Greek root of clínico refers to 'the bed', meaning that a clinician is etymologically someone who works at the bedside.
- Spanish speakers use clínico to describe a 'clinical' eye for detail or a 'clinical' way of performing a task, meaning it is done with cold, precise, and detached efficiency.
- The meaning of a sentence can shift from a person to an abstract concept by changing the article from el clínico to lo clínico.
Example conversation
Mateo is at a medical center asking for help.
- Mateo¿Hay algún clínico disponible ahora?Is there a clinician available now?
- MaríaSí, Mateo, espera un momento, por favor.Yes, Mateo, please wait a moment.
- MateoGracias, María. Tengo una cita urgente.Thank you, María. I have an urgent appointment.
- MaríaEl clínico te llamará en cinco minutos.The clinician will call you in five minutes.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries clínico, CC BY-SA 4.0.
