medico
/ˈmɛ.di.ko/
The English phrase "doctor" can be translated into Italian as medico.
medico is used to refer specifically to a medical professional who is qualified to treat ill people.
Which one should you use?
While medico refers specifically to a medical professional, dottore is more common in everyday conversation to address or refer to a doctor. However, dottore is a broader term that can refer to anyone who holds a doctorate in any field, not just medicine.
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine form of medico is medica.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 1st syllable: /ˈmɛ.di.ko/.
Did you know?
- In Italy, any student who graduates from a university is entitled to be called dottore or dottoressa, regardless of whether they studied medicine, law or philosophy.
- An Italian person might refer to their family physician as il medico di base, which literally translates to 'the base doctor'.
- The feminine form medica is grammatically correct, but in many regions, people still prefer using la dottoressa when addressing a female physician.
Examples in context
- Non è un medico.He is not a doctor.This sentence is useful for stating that someone is not a medico.Tatoeba #1516676 by Guybrush88, translation #293617 by CH
- Lui è un medico?Is he a doctor?This sentence is useful for asking if someone is a medico.Tatoeba #1607818 by Guybrush88, translation #293616 by adjusting
- Lei è un medico.You are a doctor.Tatoeba #3589515 by Guybrush88, translation #20125 by CK
- 214 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Martina are talking at a coffee shop.
- LorenzoConosci un bravo medico?Do you know a good doctor?
- MartinaSì, mio fratello è un medico.Yes, my brother is a doctor.
- LorenzoÈ un medico di famiglia?Is he a family doctor?
- MartinaNo, è un medico specialista.No, he is a specialist doctor.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry medico, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
