ڈاکٹر
doctornoun, everyday
Pakistanis use the English word as ڈاکٹر (doctor) in Urdu. Out of respect they add صاحب (sahab) for a man or صاحبہ (sahiba) for a woman. It is also called ڈاکٹر صاحب (doctor sahab) and ڈاکٹر صاحبہ (doctor sahiba).
Meaning: medical practitioner (noun)
Ways to say it
| Pakistan | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ڈاکٹر | doctor | noun, everyday |
| ڈاکٹر صاحب | doctor sahab | respectful, for a man |
| ڈاکٹر صاحبہ | doctor sahiba | respectful, for a woman |
| حکیم | hakeem | traditional medicine |
The word works for both men and women, so you say ڈاکٹر ہیں (doctor hain) for either. Patients often address the doctor directly as ڈاکٹر صاحب (doctor sahab).
Which one should you use?
A حکیم (hakeem) is a practitioner of traditional herbal medicine, and you can still find one in many Pakistani towns. A طبیب (tabeeb) is a similar word used more formally.
Did you know?
- Pakistanis often say ڈاکٹر صاحب (doctor sahab) to address a doctor, and the same polite صاحب (sahab) is used for teachers and officers.
Examples in context
- مجھے ڈاکٹر کے پاس جانا ہے۔mujhe doctor ke paas jana hai.I have to go to the doctor.
- ڈاکٹر صاحب، مجھے بخار ہے۔doctor sahab, mujhe bukhar hai.Doctor, I have a fever.
- ڈاکٹر صاحبہ بہت اچھی ہیں۔doctor sahiba bohat achhi hain.The doctor is very good.
Example conversation
Imran visits a clinic in Lahore with a fever and talks to the doctor.
- Imranالسلام علیکم، ڈاکٹر صاحب۔assalamu alaikum, doctor sahab.Hello, doctor.
- Doctorوعلیکم السلام، بتائیں کیا تکلیف ہے؟walaikum assalam, batayen kya takleef hai?Hello, tell me what the trouble is.
- Imranدو دن سے بخار ہے۔do din se bukhar hai.I have had a fever for two days.
