French · Body & Health
"Doctor" in French: médecin
le médecin
Note: also: le docteur
Doctor in French is le médecin (mayd-SAN). It is the normal word for the job, while docteur is mostly what you call a doctor to their face: Bonjour, docteur. Médecin is grammatically masculine but is also used for women: elle est médecin.
Calling for an appointment
Bonjour, je voudrais prendre rendez-vous avec le médecin, s'il vous plaît.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce médecin
Say it
mayd-SAN
/med.sɛ̃/
Médecin is written with three syllables, but most people say only two: mayd-SAN, dropping the middle e. The final -in is a nasal vowel, so don't pronounce the n. The é at the start sounds like "ay".
"Doctor" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| le médecin | doctor The everyday word for the profession. | The everyday word for the profession. |
| le docteur | doctor Used when speaking to a doctor or with a name: le docteur Martin. | Used when speaking to a doctor or with a name: le docteur Martin. |
| le médecin généraliste | GP, family doctor Often shortened to le généraliste. The first doctor you see. | Often shortened to le généraliste. The first doctor you see. |
| le médecin traitant | registered family doctor The GP you officially sign up with in France. | The GP you officially sign up with in France. |
| le / la spécialiste | specialist A doctor for one field, like a dermatologist or cardiologist. | A doctor for one field, like a dermatologist or cardiologist. |
How to use médecin in real life
- 1Calling for an appointment
Bonjour, je voudrais prendre rendez-vous avec le médecin, s'il vous plaît.
Hello, I'd like to make an appointment with the doctor, please.
Prendre rendez-vous means "to make an appointment".
- 2Feeling sick at work
Je ne me sens pas bien, je vais chez le médecin cet après-midi.
I don't feel well, I'm going to the doctor this afternoon.
You go chez le médecin (to the doctor's), using chez as with any person.
- 3Talking about jobs
Ma sœur est médecin à l'hôpital de Toulouse.
My sister is a doctor at the hospital in Toulouse.
No un or une before a job after être: elle est médecin.
Mistakes English speakers make with médecin
Incorrect: Je vais au médecin demain.
Correct: Je vais chez le médecin demain.
Use chez when you go to a person's place, like the doctor, the dentist, or the hairdresser. Use à for places: je vais à l'hôpital.
Incorrect: Elle est une médecin.
Correct: Elle est médecin.
After il est or elle est, French drops the article before a job. With c'est you keep it: c'est un bon médecin.
Good to know
In France, adults usually register with a médecin traitant, a regular GP who refers them to specialists when needed. Many people book appointments online, often through the Doctolib app. For small problems like a cold, it is also normal to ask the pharmacist first.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Calling a doctor's office in Strasbourg
ChatPal
Cabinet médical, bonjour. Je vous écoute.
Doctor's office, hello. How can I help you?
You
Bonjour, je voudrais voir un médecin aujourd'hui, si possible. J'ai de la fièvre.
Hello, I'd like to see a doctor today, if possible. I have a fever.
ChatPal
Le médecin peut vous recevoir à 16 h 30. Ça vous va ?
The doctor can see you at 4:30 p.m. Does that work for you?
You
Oui, parfait. Je dois apporter ma carte Vitale ?
Yes, perfect. Should I bring my health insurance card?
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Doctor" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Doctor" in French
What is the difference between médecin and docteur?
Médecin is the word for the job: je cherche un médecin. Docteur is the title you use when you talk to a doctor or name one: Merci, docteur or le docteur Leroy.
Is médecin masculine or feminine?
Médecin is grammatically masculine, and it is traditionally used for women too: elle est médecin, c'est un très bon médecin. Today you will also hear une médecin.
How do you pronounce médecin?
Say mayd-SAN, in two syllables. The middle e is usually silent, and the final -in is a nasal sound, with no n pronounced.
What is the difference between médecin, médecine, and médicament?
Le médecin is the doctor, la médecine is the field of medicine (elle étudie la médecine), and le médicament is a medicine you take, like a pill or syrup.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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