médecin
/med.sɛ̃/
The English word 'doctor' is translated into French as médecin.
médecin refers to a person qualified to treat ill people and is the standard term for a practitioner in professional or clinical contexts. You may also use more specific terms for specialists, such as le cardiologue (cardiologist), le chirurgien (surgeon) or le pédiatre (pediatrician).
Which one should you use?
While médecin refers specifically to the medical profession, docteur is often used as a title of address or to refer to someone holding a PhD. In professional settings, médecin describes the practitioner, whereas docteur is more common when speaking directly to them.
How does it change in a sentence?
médecin is an epicene noun, meaning it has the same form for both male and female doctors. To specify a female doctor, you can use une médecin or une docteure.
How do you pronounce it?
/med.sɛ̃/
Did you know?
- Historical French once used many different words for a healer, such as mire or mege, before médecin became the dominant standard.
- Although médecin is epicene, the feminine form docteure is a relatively recent addition to formal usage and remains debated by some traditionalists.
- In French, you might find yourself addressing a person with a PhD as docteur, even if they have never stepped foot in a hospital or treated a patient.
Examples in context
- Dis à ton médecin.Tell your doctor.This sentence is useful for practicing how to use médecin when giving advice.Tatoeba #11964262 by Amastan, translation #11697493 by Amastan
- Je veux un médecin.I want a doctor.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire for médecin.Tatoeba #4692214 by sacredceltic, translation #2011303 by CK
- Où est le médecin ?Where's the doctor?This sentence is useful for asking about the location of the médecin.Tatoeba #5662067 by Aiji, translation #2254661 by CK
- Je dois consulter mon médecin demain matin.I have to see my doctor tomorrow morning.
- J'ai pris rendez-vous chez le doc.I made an appointment with the doctor.
- Le docteur Lefèvre est très compétent.Doctor Lefèvre is very competent.
- La docteure Martin est très compétente.Doctor Martin is very competent.
- Madame la Docteure Martin,Dear Doctor Martin,
- Docteur, pourriez-vous m'expliquer les résultats de mes analyses ?Doctor, could you please explain my test results?
- 618 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Lucas are talking about a health issue.
- ChloéJe dois appeler mon médecin demain.I have to call my doctor tomorrow.
- LucasEst-ce que c'est urgent, Chloé ?Is it urgent, Chloé?
- ChloéOui, je ne me sens pas bien.Yes, I don't feel well.
- LucasJ'espère que ton médecin pourra t'aider.I hope your doctor can help you.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry médecin, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries médecin, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
