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How To Say "Doctor" In Spanish

If you are looking to learn how to say "doctor" in Spanish, you have come to the right place. Whether you are planning a trip to a Spanish-speaking country, or simply want to expand your language skills, knowing how to say "doctor" is an important step. In this article, we will explore the meaning of "doctor" in Spanish, provide translations, and offer some regional differences to keep in mind.

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What is "Doctor" in Spanish?

The word for "Doctor" in Spanish is "Doctor" (IPA: /doctoɾ/). This word is used to refer to both medical doctors and those who hold doctoral degrees.

Meaning of "Doctor" in Spanish

The word "doctor" comes from the Latin word "doctus", which means "learned" or "skilled". In Spanish, the word "doctor" has two primary meanings:

Medical Doctor: Someone who has completed medical school and is licensed to practice medicine. This type of doctor is commonly referred to as "médico" in Spanish, but "doctor" is also used.
Doctoral Degree: Someone who has earned a doctoral degree, such as a Ph.D. This type of doctor is referred to as "doctor" in Spanish, regardless of their profession.

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Translating "Doctor" to Spanish

To translate "doctor" from English to Spanish, you simply use the same word: "doctor". However, there are some regional variations in how the word is pronounced and spelled.

In Mexico and most parts of Central and South America, the word is pronounced "DOCK-tor" (IPA: /ˈdɔk.tor/).
In Spain, the word is pronounced "do-KTOHR" (IPA: /doˈktoɾ/).
In some parts of South America, such as Argentina and Uruguay, the word is spelled and pronounced médico (IPA: /ˈme.di.ko/).

Regional Differences

While the word "Doctor" is used throughout the Spanish-speaking world, there may be some regional differences in the way the word is used. For example:

In some Spanish-speaking countries, such as Mexico and Argentina, it is common to use the term "Doctor" to refer to anyone with a professional degree, regardless of whether or not they hold a doctoral degree.
In Spain, it is more common to use the term "Doctor" to refer to medical doctors specifically, and "Licenciado" (IPA: /lienˈθjensjaðo/) or "Ingeniero" (IPA: /inxeˈnjeɾo/) to refer to those with other professional degrees.

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