"Médico" y "Doctor/a"

[laepelba]

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?

[Elaina]

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.

[laepelba]

Thanks, Elaina - so I could also say something like: "Mi amiga es una doctora. Ella es una profesora de ciencia política." Correct?

[sosia]

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"

Saludos

[Tomisimo]

Originally Posted by laepelba

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.

[laepelba]

Originally Posted by Tomisimo

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.....

[poli]

Originally Posted by laepelba

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.

[Tomisimo]

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

[chileno]

Originally Posted by poli

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. :-)

Let your head help you.

[CrOtALiTo]

Originally Posted by chileno

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.

[chileno]

Originally Posted by CrOtALiTo

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.

Sí.

No significa que no tenga cabeza, pero como sucede tan a menudo, mientras mas duro tratamos, mas nos alejamos del problema... pero si uno se deja, la cabeza ayuda. :-)

[CrOtALiTo]

Oraleee.

You are knowledgeable in quotes.

[laepelba]

Originally Posted by chileno

Sí.

No significa que no tenga cabeza, pero como sucede tan a menudo, mientras mas duro tratamos, mas nos alejamos del problema... pero si uno se deja, la cabeza ayuda. :-)

Um ... are you accusing me of not having a head!!??

[chileno]

Originally Posted by laepelba

Um ... are you accusing me of not having a head!!??

Do you feel lucky....? Do you?