bác sĩ
[ʔɓaːk̚˧˦ si˦ˀ˥]
The Vietnamese word for doctor is bác sĩ.
bác sĩ refers specifically to the profession of a medical doctor. You can also use it as a polite title when addressing a doctor directly, similar to how one might use the word 'Doctor' in English.
Which one should you use?
While bác sĩ refers to a medical doctor, the term thầy thuốc is a more traditional or general term used for a healer or medical practitioner.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a noun, bác sĩ does not change its form to indicate plurality or grammatical number.
Did you know?
- In a clinical setting, patients may address a doctor as bác meaning 'uncle' regardless of their actual family relation.
- The term bác sĩ shares its exact same Chinese characters with the Japanese word hakushi, which also means 'doctor' or 'scholar'.
- The first syllable of bác sĩ, bác, is also a kinship term used to address an older brother of one's parents.
Examples in context
- Tôi là bác sĩ.I'm a doctor.This sentence is useful for stating your own profession using bác sĩ.Tatoeba #13896757 by leucammieuvu, translation #256018 by CK
- Cô ấy là bác sĩ.She is a doctor.This sentence is useful for identifying a third person's profession using bác sĩ.Tatoeba #5162192 by truongap, translation #309938 by CC
- Xin chào bác sĩ!Hello, Doctor!This sentence is useful for greeting a doctor using bác sĩ.Tatoeba #14032829 by nhuttan2004, translation #13405186 by rul
- Bác sĩ đã giúp tôi lành bệnh.The doctor helped me recover.
- Làm ơn, tôi muốn gặp bác sĩ.Please, I want to see a doctor.
- 44 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Tuấn and Hương are talking about Tuấn's health.
- TuấnTôi thấy không khỏe lắm.I don't feel very well.
- HươngAnh nên đi gặp bác sĩ đi.You should go see a doctor.
- TuấnTôi sẽ gọi cho bác sĩ ngay.I will call the doctor right away.
- HươngHãy nghỉ ngơi cho đến lúc đó.Please rest until then.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry bác sĩ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bác, bác sĩ, sĩ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
