dàifu: 大夫 - Doctor, Physician, Grand Master

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Summary: 大夫 (dàifu) is a common and culturally rich Chinese word for “doctor” or “physician.” While the modern, standard term is 医生 (yīshēng), understanding dàifu is key to sounding more like a native speaker, especially in Northern China. This page explores the crucial differences between 大夫 (dàifu) and 医生 (yīshēng), its historical meaning as a high-ranking official in ancient China, and its practical use in modern conversation. Learn its pinyin, cultural context, and see practical examples to master this essential vocabulary.

Pinyin (with tone marks): dàifu (when meaning “doctor”); dàfū (the historical reading for “ancient official”)

Part of Speech: Noun

HSK Level: HSK 3

Concise Definition: A doctor or physician; historically, a high-ranking government official.

In a Nutshell: Think of “dàifu” as a warm, respectful, and slightly traditional way to say “doctor.” It's very common to hear people, especially in Northern China, use “dàifu” when addressing a doctor directly (e.g., “Hello, Doctor Wang” would be “王大夫好”). While the word 医生 (yīshēng) is the universal, textbook term for “doctor,” “dàifu” carries a sense of cultural heritage, harking back to a time when respected court physicians held this title.

大 (dà): This character means “big,” “great,” or “large.” It's one of the simplest and most common characters, originally a pictogram of a person with arms outstretched.

夫 (fū): This character can mean “man,” “husband,” or in classical contexts, a “scholar” or “skilled worker.” It depicts a person with a pin in their hair, signifying adulthood or status.

How they combine: Literally “great man,” the term 大夫 (dàfū) originally referred to high-ranking scholar-officials in ancient Chinese feudal states. These officials were highly respected. Because the most skilled physicians often served in the imperial court and held respected positions, the title was gradually applied to them. Over centuries, this usage trickled down to the general populace, and 大夫 (dàifu) became a common, respectful term for any doctor.

From Official to Physician: The evolution of “dàifu” reflects the deep respect for both scholarship and medicine in Chinese culture. In ancient China, the social hierarchy placed scholar-officials near the top. By applying this title to physicians, society elevated the status of medical practitioners, viewing them not just as technicians but as learned and wise individuals.

Western Comparison: “Doctor” vs. “Dàifu”: In English, “Doctor” is the standard term. A term like “Physician” is slightly more formal, and “Doc” is informal. 大夫 (dàifu) doesn't map perfectly. It's more colloquial than 医生 (yīshēng) but also carries more historical weight and respect when used in direct address. The best way to understand it is to see 医生 (yīshēng) as the neutral, modern, and universal job title (“He is a doctor”), while 大夫 (dàifu) is a traditional and common term of address (“Hello, Doctor”).

Regional Variation: The usage of 大夫 (dàifu) is a well-known linguistic marker in China. It is significantly more common in the north (e.g., Beijing, Dongbei) than in the south (e.g., Shanghai, Guangzhou), where 医生 (yīshēng) is used almost exclusively. Using “dàifu” in Beijing will make you sound very natural.

Directly Addressing a Doctor: This is the most common modern use. When you meet a doctor, especially an older one, it's very polite and natural to address them with their `(Surname) + 大夫`. For example, “张大夫 (Zhāng dàifu)” or “李大夫 (Lǐ dàifu).” In this context, it often sounds warmer and more familiar than “张医生 (Zhāng yīshēng).”

Referring to a Doctor: When talking *about* a doctor you've just seen, you might say “那个大夫很好 (Nàge dàifu hěn hǎo)” - “That doctor was very good.” However, when speaking about the medical profession in general, 医生 (yīshēng) is the correct choice. For example: “My dream is to become a doctor” is “我的梦想是成为一名医生 (wǒ de mèngxiǎng shì chéngwéi yī míng yīshēng).”

Connotation: The connotation is almost always positive and respectful. It implies skill and evokes a traditional sense of trust in a physician's wisdom.

`医生 (yīshēng)` - The most common, modern, and standard word for “doctor.” The primary term to compare with `dàifu`.

`看病 (kànbìng)` - Literally “to see an illness”; the verb for “to see a doctor.”

`医院 (yīyuàn)` - Hospital; the place where you find a `dàifu` or `yīshēng`.

`病人 (bìngrén)` - Patient; the person who goes to see a `dàifu`.

`护士 (hùshi)` - Nurse; another key medical professional you'll find alongside a doctor.

`中医 (zhōngyī)` - Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The term `dàifu` sometimes has a stronger cultural association with TCM practitioners because of its traditional feel.

`大夫第 (dàfūdì)` - A historical term for the official residence of a high-ranking `dàfū`. Knowing this word helps connect `dàifu` back to its noble origins.