박사
baksa[pa̠ks͈a̠]
The English abbreviation "dr." is translated into Korean as 박사 (baksa).
박사 is used to refer to someone who has earned an academic doctoral degree or to the degree itself. It is important to note that 박사 refers specifically to academic PhD holders. It is not used for medical doctors. For a medical doctor, the term 의사 is used instead.
Which one should you use?
While English uses "Doctor" for both medical and academic professionals, Korean distinguishes between them: use 박사 for academic doctoral degrees and 의사 for medical doctors.
How does it change in a sentence?
박사 can function as a noun to refer to the person or the degree, but it is rarely used as a direct address on its own without an honorific suffix. For formal direct address, use 박사님.
How do you pronounce it?
baksa
Did you know?
- The word 박사 shares an ancestral linguistic link with the word 박수, which refers to a male shaman in indigenous Korean religion.
- In casual conversation, people might describe someone as a 박사 in a specific hobby or topic, even if they lack a formal degree, to mean they are an expert.
- Because 박사 is strictly academic, a medical doctor who also holds a PhD might be referred to as 박사 in a research context but 의사 in a clinic.
Examples in context
- 박사님, 언제 도착하실 건가요?Dr., when will you arrive?
- 박사님, 이 연구에 참여하셨나요?Dr., did you participate in this research?
- 박사가 바로 그 분이에요.He/she is the one with the doctorate.
- 그는 물리 박사예요.geuneun mulri bak-sa-ye-yo.He is a doctor of physics.
- 이 박사님을 불러주세요.i bak-sa-nim-eul bul-leo-ju-se-yo.Please call Dr. Lee.
- 그녀는 생물학 박사입니다.geunyeo-neun saeng-mul-hak bak-sa-im-ni-da.She is a Ph.D. in biology.
Example conversation
Seoyeon and Jihun are introducing a guest speaker.
- 서연 Seo-yeon지훈 씨, 이분이 오늘 오실 박사님이에요.Jihun ssi, ibuni oneul osil baksanim-ieyo.Jihun, this is the doctor who is visiting today.
- 지훈 Ji-hun정말 반갑습니다, 박사님.Jeongmal bangapseumnida, baksanim.It is a pleasure to meet you, Dr.
- 서연 Seo-yeon박사님께서 아주 중요한 강의를 하실 거예요.Baksanim-kkeseo aju jungyohan gang-uireul hasil geoyeyo.The doctor will give a very important lecture.
- 지훈 Ji-hun정말 기대되네요.Jeongmal gidaedoeneyo.I am really looking forward to it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 박사, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 박사, CC BY-SA 4.0.
