What it's NOT
physician does NOT translate to físico.
To say "físico" in English, use physicist.
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False cognate · False friend
physician
Does NOT mean físico
It means a medical doctor
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
What it IS
physician means a medical doctor.
Why it's confused
Spanish "físico" can be someone's body build or a physics scientist. English "physician" is a medical doctor. The scientist in English is "physicist."
How it's pronounced
physicianfi-SÍ-shan
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Examples of correct use
English
You should see a physician.
Spanish
Deberías ver a un médico.
English
She's a respected physician.
Spanish
Es una médica respetada.
A trick to remember it
Physician = a medical doctor. A physics scientist (Spanish "físico") = physicist.
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Frequently asked questions
What does "physician" mean in English?
"Physician" means "a medical doctor". It looks a lot like "físico", which is exactly why it gets confused, but they don't mean the same thing.
How do you say "físico" in English?
To say "físico" in English, use "physicist". If you use "physician" instead, you would actually be saying "a medical doctor".
Do "physician" and "físico" mean the same thing?
Spanish "físico" can be someone's body build or a physics scientist. English "physician" is a medical doctor. The scientist in English is "physicist."
Other confusing false friends
More confusing false friends
Library, embarrassed, actually... the full list of words that look the same but mean something different.
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