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physician and Spanish físico
In English
physician
a medical doctor
In Spanish
físico
científico
Spanish "físico" means: physicist
Why they get mixed up Spanish "físico" can be someone's body build or a physics scientist. English "physician" is a medical doctor. The scientist in English is "physicist."
If you want to say...
- physicianmédico
- physicistfísico
- doctormédico o doctor
Examples
You should see a physician.
Deberías ver a un médico.
She's a respected physician.
Es una médica respetada.
Her physician recommended more rest.
Su médico le recomendó descansar más.
The physician examined the patient carefully.
El médico examinó al paciente con cuidado.
Common mistakes in Spanish
Incorrect: Mi tío es físico: atiende a pacientes en el hospital.
Correct: Mi tío es médico: atiende a pacientes en el hospital.
Físico is a scientist who studies physics. A doctor is médico.
Incorrect: El físico me recetó antibióticos.
Correct: El médico me recetó antibióticos.
Use médico for someone who treats patients.
Phrases you will hear
- a family physicianun médico de cabecera
- see a physicianver a un médico
- a respected physicianun médico respetado
- a physician's assistantun asistente médico
- a physicistun físico
- a scientistun científico
In a conversation
- A:
You should see a physician.
Deberías ver a un médico.
- B:
Which one? A family physician?
¿A cuál? ¿A un médico de cabecera?
- A:
Yes. My cousin is a physicist, not a doctor.
Sí. Mi primo es físico, no médico.
- B:
Then he can't help me with my cough.
Entonces no puede ayudarme con mi tos.
Test yourself
"See a physician" means see a...
To remember it
Physician = a medical doctor. A physics scientist (Spanish "físico") = physicist.
Frequently asked questions
What does Spanish "físico" mean?
Spanish "físico" means "physicist". It looks like the English "physician", which is exactly why it gets confused, but "physician" means "a medical doctor".
Does English "physician" mean the same as Spanish "físico"?
Spanish "físico" can be someone's body build or a physics scientist. English "physician" is a medical doctor. The scientist in English is "physicist."