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Old March 21, 2009, 04:38 PM
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"Médico" y "Doctor/a"

Do "médico" and "doctor/a" mean exactly the same thing? Or is there a different sense in which you would use one word or the other?
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Old March 21, 2009, 05:10 PM
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I remember asking the same question a while back and this is what I was told.....

Doctor = (1) Someone who holds a doctorate degree,
(2) a medical doctor
Médico = A medical doctor

Voy a ver al médico. No me siento bien.
Voy a ver al Doctor Hernández. No me siento bien.
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Old March 21, 2009, 05:14 PM
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Thanks, Elaina - so I could also say something like: "Mi amiga es una doctora. Ella es una profesora de ciencia política." Correct?
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Old March 22, 2009, 02:47 AM
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Agree with Elaina.
Usually, doctor/medico means a medical doctor, but doctor can be used as a doctorate degree
"Mi amiga es doctora en ciencias políticas"

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Old March 23, 2009, 11:03 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by laepelba View Post
Thanks, Elaina - so I could also say something like: "Mi amiga es una doctora. Ella es una profesora de ciencia política." Correct?
Yes, just without the article.
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Old March 24, 2009, 02:48 AM
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Yes, just without the article.
I noticed that change, but didn't comment on it. Is there a good way to get a feel for when to use an article and when not to use an article? Obviously, it's not parallel to our English usage of articles.....
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Old March 25, 2009, 07:02 AM
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Originally Posted by laepelba View Post
I noticed that change, but didn't comment on it. Is there a good way to get a feel for when to use an article and when not to use an article? Obviously, it's not parallel to our English usage of articles.....
Some things come with practice. Although Spanish has many clear cut rules, sometimes just hearing and reading will help.
Here's some examples that may clarify your question:
Él es médico, as David said, is correct, but
Él es un médico muy conocido. He's a well known doctor.
Él es el médico que necisitas consultar. He's the doctor you need to see.
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Old March 25, 2009, 09:43 AM
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To start generalizing a rule in your own mind, start with this:

[ser + profession] does not use an article, the opposite of English

Soy doctor = I am a doctore
Eres profesora = You are a professor
Fui estudiante = I was a student
Era conductora de taxi = She was a taxi driver
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Old March 25, 2009, 10:16 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by poli View Post
Some things come with practice. Although Spanish has many clear cut rules, sometimes just hearing and reading will help.
Here's some examples that may clarify your question:
Él es médico, as David said, is correct, but
Él es un médico muy conocido. He's a well known doctor.
Él es el médico que necisitas consultar. He's the doctor you need to see.
hmmm, I would put that as: all the time. :-)

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Old March 25, 2009, 10:57 AM
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hmmm, I would put that as: all the time. :-)

Let your head help you.
I have a question for you.


You quoted before Let your head help you this mean ( Permite a tu cabeza ayudarte?)

I appreciate your help.
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