doktor
/dokˈtoɾ/
The English phrase 'doctor' is translated into Turkish as doktor.
doktor is the most common and neutral word for a person qualified to treat people who are ill. In official documents, you may see the term Tıp Doktoru, which literally translates to 'medical doctor'. Colloquially, people often use the word Uzman, meaning 'specialist', to refer to doctors with specific expertise.
Which one should you use?
While doktor is the standard word used in everyday conversation, hekim is a more traditional and formal term used to mean 'physician'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make doktor plural, add the suffix -lar to form doktorlar (doctors).
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /dokˈtoɾ/. The k sound is like the [c] in the English word 'core', and the ɾ sound is like the American English 't' in 'atom'.
Did you know?
- In Turkey, it is common to address a doctor as doktor bey for a man or doktor hanım for a woman, adding a title of respect that is not used in English.
- The word doktor shares an ancient root with the English word 'teacher', coming from the Latin 'docere', which means 'to teach'.
- The word hekim is often associated with the concept of a 'wise man' or 'learned person' in Ottoman-era contexts, reflecting a time when medicine and philosophy were closely linked.
Examples in context
- O iyi bir doktor.He is a good doctor.This sentence is useful for describing someone as a good doktor.Tatoeba #1261339 by duran, translation #304039 by CK
- O bir doktor oldu.He grew up to be a doctor.This sentence describes the process of someone becoming a doktor.Tatoeba #1261381 by duran, translation #300331 by CK
- O bir doktor değil.He is not a doctor.This sentence is used to negate the profession of someone, stating they are not a doktor.Tatoeba #486776 by duran, translation #293617 by CH
- Hastalığım hala devam ediyor, bir doktora gitmem gerekiyor.My illness still persists, I need to visit a doctor.
- Geçen hafta hoca bana bir ilaç yazdı.Last week, the doctor prescribed me a medication.
- Bugün doktora gittim ve sağlığımın iyi olduğunu öğrendim.Today, I went to the doctor and learned that I'm in good health.
- 1375 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mehmet and Zeynep are discussing a medical appointment.
- MehmetDoktor nerede?Where is the doctor?
- ZeynepDoktor içeride bekliyor.The doctor is waiting inside.
- MehmetDoktor çok meşgul mü?Is the doctor very busy?
- ZeynepEvet, doktor çok yoğun.Yes, the doctor is very busy.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry doktor, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries doktor, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
