When you're learning Japanese, you'll find that there are often several ways to say similar things, and choosing the right one depends on the context and how polite you need to be. Let's look at お医者さん (oisha-san), which means 'doctor,' and some related terms.
§ お医者さん (oisha-san) - The Polite Standard
お医者さん (oisha-san) is the most common and polite way to refer to a doctor in everyday conversation. The お (o-) prefix and -さん (-san) suffix add a layer of respect, making it suitable for almost any situation, whether you're talking about a doctor, to a doctor, or asking someone else about a doctor.
どこにお医者さんがいますか？
Translation hint: Where is the doctor?
お医者さんに診てもらいました。
Translation hint: I had the doctor examine me.
§ 医者 (isha) - More Direct
医者 (isha) is the plain form of 'doctor.' It's less polite than お医者さん because it lacks the honorifics. You might hear this in more casual settings, among close friends, or when speaking more clinically about the profession itself rather than a specific doctor you are interacting with. It's also often used in compound words or more formal writing.
彼の夢は医者になることです。
Translation hint: His dream is to become a doctor.
§ 先生 (sensei) - Respectful Title
先生 (sensei) literally means 'teacher' but is also used as a respectful title for many professionals, including doctors. When you're talking directly to a doctor or referring to a doctor you know by name, using 先生 after their name (e.g., 田中先生 - Tanaka-sensei) is very common and polite. You can also use it to refer to a doctor in general, especially when showing respect.
- Remember
- 先生 is a broad term of respect, not just for teachers.
山本先生はとても親切です。
Translation hint: Dr. Yamamoto is very kind.
先生、ありがとうございます。
Translation hint: Thank you, Doctor.
§ Summary: When to Use What
- お医者さん (oisha-san): Use this in almost all general conversations about doctors. It's polite and safe.
- 医者 (isha): Use this when being more direct or casual, or in formal writing where honorifics aren't needed. Not for directly addressing a doctor.
- 先生 (sensei): Use this as a respectful title when addressing a doctor directly, or referring to them by name. It shows high respect.
By understanding these distinctions, you can navigate conversations about doctors in Japanese more naturally and appropriately.
Tips
Use this for doctors you meet
お医者さん (o-isha-san) is the most common and polite way to refer to a doctor in Japanese. You'll use this when talking about a doctor you are visiting or when referring to a doctor in general.
Adding honorifics
The お (o-) prefix and さん (-san) suffix are honorifics that make the word polite. The base word for doctor is 医者 (isha), but it's rarely used on its own unless you are referring to the medical profession in a more academic context.
Using it to address a doctor
You can use お医者さん directly to address a doctor, similar to saying 'Doctor' in English. For example, you might say, 'お医者さん、ありがとうございます' (O-isha-san, arigatou gozaimasu) meaning 'Thank you, Doctor.'
Referring to your doctor
When talking about 'my doctor,' you would still use お医者さん. For example, '私のお医者さんはとても親切です' (Watashi no o-isha-san wa totemo shinsetsu desu) means 'My doctor is very kind.'
When to use 医者 (isha)
While お医者さん is for polite general use, 医者 (isha) alone can be used in more specific or less formal contexts, like in a job title (e.g., '彼は医者です' - Kare wa isha desu - 'He is a doctor') or when talking about the profession of medicine.
Avoid using 医者 (isha) directly to address
It's generally considered less polite to address a doctor directly as 医者 (isha). Always stick with お医者さん for direct address or when referring to them in conversation.
The importance of honorifics
The use of honorifics like お (-o) and さん (-san) is a fundamental part of Japanese etiquette. They show respect and politeness, and using them correctly, especially with professions like doctor, is very important.
Practice with example phrases
Try incorporating お医者さん into simple sentences. For example: 'お医者さんはどこですか？' (O-isha-san wa doko desu ka?) meaning 'Where is the doctor?'
More specific medical titles
For very specific medical roles, other terms exist (e.g., 看護師 - kangoshi for nurse), but お医者さん is the universal polite term for a doctor across specialties.
Pronunciation practice
Focus on pronouncing お医者さん (o-isha-san) clearly. The 'o' is like in 'oh,' 'i' like in 'ski,' 'sha' like in 'shampoo,' and 'san' like in 'sun.'
Test Yourself 12 questions
You have a cold. You need to see a doctor. Write a short sentence saying 'I need to see a doctor.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
お医者さんに行きます。
Imagine you are describing someone's profession. Write a simple sentence: 'My father is a doctor.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
私の父はお医者さんです。
You want to ask 'Is he a doctor?' Write this question.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
彼はお医者さんですか。
Where is the doctor?
Read this passage:
これは病院です。あそこにお医者さんがいます。
Where is the doctor?
The passage states 'あそこにお医者さんがいます。' meaning 'There is a doctor over there.' combined with 'これは病院です。' meaning 'This is a hospital.'
The passage states 'あそこにお医者さんがいます。' meaning 'There is a doctor over there.' combined with 'これは病院です。' meaning 'This is a hospital.'
What does Tanaka-san do every day?
Read this passage:
田中さんはお医者さんです。毎日、病院で働きます。
What does Tanaka-san do every day?
The passage says '毎日、病院で働きます。' meaning 'Every day, (he/she) works at the hospital.'
The passage says '毎日、病院で働きます。' meaning 'Every day, (he/she) works at the hospital.'
Who does a doctor help?
Read this passage:
お医者さんは病気の人を助けます。
Who does a doctor help?
The sentence 'お医者さんは病気の人を助けます。' means 'A doctor helps sick people.'
The sentence 'お医者さんは病気の人を助けます。' means 'A doctor helps sick people.'
熱があるので、___ に診てもらったほうがいいでしょう。
「お医者さん」は「医者」の丁寧な言い方で、一般的な会話でよく使われます。「医者」も間違いではありませんが、より自然な表現です。
具合が悪かったら、すぐに___ に連絡してください。
「具合が悪い」ときは、専門家である「お医者さん」に連絡するのが適切です。他の選択肢は状況に合いません。
子供が病気になったので、___ に連れて行きました。
子供が病気になった場合、適切な対処は「お医者さん」に連れて行くことです。
定期的に___ で健康診断を受けることは大切です。
健康診断は「お医者さん」のいる病院で行われるため、この文脈では「お医者さん」が適切です。
この病気については、___ が詳しいです。
病気に関する専門知識を持つのは「お医者さん」です。
彼は将来、___ になりたいと言っています。
「お医者さん」は将来の職業として一般的な選択肢であり、文脈に合致しています。
/ 12 correct
Perfect score!
Use this for doctors you meet
お医者さん (o-isha-san) is the most common and polite way to refer to a doctor in Japanese. You'll use this when talking about a doctor you are visiting or when referring to a doctor in general.
Adding honorifics
The お (o-) prefix and さん (-san) suffix are honorifics that make the word polite. The base word for doctor is 医者 (isha), but it's rarely used on its own unless you are referring to the medical profession in a more academic context.
Using it to address a doctor
You can use お医者さん directly to address a doctor, similar to saying 'Doctor' in English. For example, you might say, 'お医者さん、ありがとうございます' (O-isha-san, arigatou gozaimasu) meaning 'Thank you, Doctor.'
Referring to your doctor
When talking about 'my doctor,' you would still use お医者さん. For example, '私のお医者さんはとても親切です' (Watashi no o-isha-san wa totemo shinsetsu desu) means 'My doctor is very kind.'
Example
お医者さんに診てもらいましょう。
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More health words
しばらく
B1For a while, for some time.
異変がある
B1To have an unusual change or abnormality.
異常な
B1Abnormal; unusual; irregular.
擦り傷
B1Scratch, graze, abrasion.
吸収する
B1To absorb.
禁酒
B1Abstinence from alcohol; the act of refraining from alcohol.
痛む
A2to hurt; to ache
鍼灸
B1Acupuncture and moxibustion; traditional Chinese medicine treatments.
急性的
B1Acute.
急性な
B1Acute
