The Japanese word for doctor is isha and physician is naikai. Check below for a list of different types of doctors, and their Japanese writings and pronunciations.
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| Romanji | Kanji | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Doctor いしゃ | Isha | 医者 | |
| Physician ないかい | Naikai | 内科医 | |
| Surgeon げかい | Gekai | 外科医 | |
| Gynecologist ふじんかい | Fujinkai | 婦人科医 | |
| Oncologist しゅようがくしゃ | Shuyō gakusha | 腫瘍学者 | |
| General practitioner | Ippan kaigyōi | 一般開業医 |
Interesting facts about doctors in Japan
Most people think that the word sensei only applies to teachers, but the word is also used as a title of honor for specialists such as doctors.
Also, it can be confusing if you are living in Japan and you need to see a doctor. Fortunately, most medical practitioners in Japan have a basic understanding of the English language. If you find yourself in this situation, then check out this list of English speaking doctors in Tokyo here.