obstetra
/obstetɾa/from spelling rulesfeminine, masculine
In Spanish, the English word obstetrician is translated as obstetra. Wiktionary also lists tocólogo and tocóloga.
Meaning: a physician who specializes in childbirth (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| obstetra | /obstetɾa/ (from spelling rules) | feminine, masculine |
| tocólogo | /tokoloɡo/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| tocóloga | /toˈkoloɡa/ | feminine |
The term refers to a physician who specializes in childbirth. In many Spanish-speaking regions, obstetra is the most frequently used term in both medical and everyday contexts.
Which one should you use?
While obstetra is common, tocólogo or tocóloga are more technical or formal terms. In formal settings, you may also encounter the phrases Ginecólogo Obstetra for obstetrician or Médico Obstetra for obstetric physician.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine form tocólogo changes to the feminine tocóloga when referring to a female obstetrician. The word obstetra can be used as both a masculine and feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/obstetɾa/
Did you know?
- The root of obstetra comes from the Latin 'obstare', meaning 'to stand before'. This describes the physician's physical position of standing in front of the mother during delivery.
- In many Latin American countries, doctors specializing in this field are colloquially called ginecólogos even if they focus solely on childbirth. The two roles are often treated as a single professional identity in common speech.
- The word obstetra is a common-gender noun, meaning the article changes to el or la based on the person's gender, but the ending of the word itself never changes.
Examples in context
- Un oftalmólogo no se ocupa de las personas embarazadas, eso es un obstetra.An ophthalmologist doesn't care for pregnant people, that's an obstetrician.This sentence is useful for distinguishing between the roles of an ophthalmologist and an obstetra.Tatoeba #10082446 by manufrutos, translation #10082250 by shekitten
- La Dra. Rodríguez es una reconocida ginecóloga obstetra en nuestra comunidad.Dr. Rodríguez is a renowned obstetrician-gynecologist in our community.
- El Dr. López es un médico obstetra con una amplia experiencia en partos complicados.Dr. López is an obstetric physician with extensive experience in complicated deliveries.
- La obstetra recomendó un parto natural para un proceso de recuperación más rápido.The obstetrician recommended a natural birth for a faster recovery process.
- Ella es una obstetra excelente.She is an excellent obstetrician.
- Mi hermano es obstetra en este hospital.My brother is an obstetrician at this hospital.
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are discussing medical appointments.
- ElenaMañana tengo mi cita con la obstetra.Tomorrow I have my appointment with the obstetrician.
- MateoQué bien, ¿a qué hora es la cita, Elena?That's great, what time is the appointment, Elena?
- ElenaEs a las diez de la mañana.It is at ten in the morning.
- MateoYo te acompaño a ver a la obstetra.I will accompany you to see the obstetrician.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “obstetrician” translations and entries obstetra, tocólogo, tocóloga, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
