歯医者

• Reading: はいしゃ
• Romaji: haisha
• Kanji breakdown: 歯 (shi/ha) — tooth; 医 (i) — medicine; 者 (sha/mono) — person
• Pronunciation: /ha.i.ɕa/

Meaning

A dentist; a dental clinic. Refers to both the dental professional and the dental office.

Can mean either the dentist (the person) or the dental clinic (the place). Context determines which meaning applies. Going to the dentist is 歯医者に行く. The more formal term is 歯科医 (shikai, dental doctor), but 歯医者 is far more common in everyday speech. Japan has a high density of dental clinics, making them easily accessible.

Examples

1. 歯が痛いので歯医者に行きます。 My tooth hurts, so I'm going to the dentist.
2. 半年に一回、歯医者で検査をしています。 I get a dental checkup every six months.
3. 子供のころ、歯医者が怖かった。 I was scared of the dentist when I was a kid.

Usage Guide

Context: health, medical, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 歯 (ha, tooth) and 医者 (isha, doctor). 歯 depicts a tooth in the mouth, 医 relates to medicine, and 者 means person.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal