Translation guide
The English word 'doctor' can refer to a medical professional, an academic title, or the act of altering something. This guide focuses on the most common meaning: a medical doctor. In Japanese, the word 医者 (isha) is the general term, but 先生 (sensei) is used when addressing or referring to a doctor politely. There are also specific terms like 医師 (ishi) for formal contexts and お医者さん (o-isha-san) for a friendly, polite tone.
Referring to a person who practices medicine, diagnoses, and treats illnesses.
The most common, general word for a medical doctor. Used in everyday conversation. Can be used for both 'doctor' as a profession and when talking about a doctor in the third person.
彼は医者です。
He is a doctor.
医者に診てもらったほうがいいよ。
You should see a doctor.
Used when addressing a doctor directly or referring to them politely. It is a title of respect, also used for teachers and other professionals. In a medical context, it is the standard way to call a doctor.
先生、お腹が痛いんです。
Doctor, I have a stomachache.
先生は何とおっしゃいましたか？
What did the doctor say?
A polite and friendly way to say 'doctor', often used by children or when speaking to children. It adds the honorific prefix お and the suffix さん to 医者.
お医者さんごっこをしよう。
Let's play doctor.
お医者さんに診てもらいましょうね。
Let's go see the doctor, okay?
A formal term for a medical doctor, often used in official contexts, news reports, or on signs. It emphasizes the professional qualification.
医師の診断が必要です。
A doctor's diagnosis is required.
彼女は優秀な医師だ。
She is an excellent doctor.
Loanword from English, used in some contexts like 'Doctor X' as a title or in medical dramas. Not commonly used in daily conversation to refer to a doctor.
ドクターXというドラマが好きです。
I like the drama 'Doctor X'.
Referring to a person who holds a doctoral degree, such as a PhD.
The title for someone with a doctoral degree. Can be used as a suffix (e.g., 田中博士) or as a standalone noun. Note: 博士 can also be read はくし in some formal contexts, but はかせ is more common in everyday speech.
彼は工学博士です。
He is a doctor of engineering.
スミス博士が講演を行った。
Dr. Smith gave a lecture.
Used as a title before a name, similar to English 'Dr.'. Often used in academic or international settings.
To change something in a dishonest or harmful way, or to falsify.
Means to falsify, alter, or tamper with documents, data, etc., often with a negative connotation.
彼は報告書を改ざんした。
He doctored the report.
To work on something craftily, sometimes with a negative nuance of tampering or rigging.
誰かがその機械に細工したようだ。
It looks like someone doctored the machine.
Literally 'to add a hand', meaning to modify or alter something. Can be neutral or negative depending on context.
写真に手を加えた。
I doctored the photo.
医者 (isha) is the general term for a medical doctor, used in everyday conversation. 医師 (ishi) is more formal and often appears in legal or official contexts. 先生 (sensei) is a title of respect used when addressing or referring to a doctor (or teacher, etc.) directly. When speaking to a doctor, always use 先生. When talking about a doctor in the third person, 医者 is common, but 先生 can also be used if you want to show respect.
医者になりたい。
I want to become a doctor.
医師免許を持っています。
I have a medical license.
先生、ありがとうございます。
Thank you, doctor.
Calling a doctor 医者 directly is considered rude. Always use 先生 when speaking to them. For example, say 「先生、診察をお願いします」 (Doctor, please examine me), not 「医者、診察をお願いします」.
明日、医者の予約があります。
I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow.
先生が薬を処方してくれました。
The doctor prescribed some medicine.
彼女は哲学博士です。
She is a doctor of philosophy.
ドクター・スミスは有名な研究者です。
Dr. Smith is a famous researcher.