Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| médico | /ˈmediko/ | masculine |
| facultativo | /fakultaˈtibo/ | masculine |
The term is used to refer to a medical doctor. In Spanish, when you are stating someone's profession, it is common to omit the indefinite article, such as saying Ziri es médico rather than Ziri es un médico.
Which one should you use?
médico is the standard and most common way to say physician. In contrast, facultativo is a more formal, technical or administrative term used to mean physician or medical practitioner.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word médico is masculine. To refer to a female physician, use the feminine form médica.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈmediko/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid relying solely on the word doctor to mean physician. While English speakers use doctor for medical professionals, in Spanish, doctor strictly refers to someone with a PhD or doctoral degree, although it is used colloquially to mean a physician.
Did you know?
- The Spanish word médico shares an ancient root with the English word 'measure', as both stem from the Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'to take appropriate measures' or 'to consider'.
- In very traditional or high-society settings, a physician may be addressed as el señor doctor to acknowledge their social rank.
- The term facultativo specifically emphasizes the physician's legal power and authorization to practice medicine rather than their clinical skill.
Examples in context
- Tom es un médico muy elogiado.Tom is a highly acclaimed physician.This sentence uses médico to describe someone's professional acclaim.Tatoeba #11935853 by Eremon, translation #8672746 by Hybrid
- Ziri es médico.Ziri is a physician.This sentence shows how to state a profession using médico without an indefinite article.Tatoeba #10728991 by SeaLiteral, translation #10210152 by Amastan
- La palabra doctor hace referencia a una persona con la máxima titulación académica y coloquialmente a un médico.The word doctor refers to a person with the highest university degree, and colloquially to a physician.This sentence explains that while doctor refers to someone with a high academic degree, it is also used colloquially for a médico.Tatoeba #2112287 by teskmon, translation #1559012 by Dejo
- Necesito ver a un médicoI need to see a physician
- Mi doctora me recetó unos medicamentosMy physician prescribed me some medication
- Fui al médico y me dio un diagnóstico.I went to the physician, and he gave me a diagnosis.
- La doctora me recomendó hacer ejercicio regularmente.The physician recommended me to exercise regularly.
- ¿Conoces a algún médico bueno en la zona?Do you know any good physicians in the area?
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and María are discussing a health appointment at home.
- Daniel¿Ya llamaste al médico?Have you already called the physician?
- MaríaNo, todavía no he podido.No, I haven't been able to yet.
- DanielEs importante que hables con un médico.It is important that you speak with a physician.
- MaríaTienes razón, lo haré ahora.You're right, I'll do it now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “physician” translations and entries médico, facultativo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries médico, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
