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Phrasebook

English Phrases at the Doctor

Feeling sick abroad is stressful enough without searching for words. These phrases help you book a visit, explain what is wrong and understand what the doctor tells you.

39 phrases · By LearnLingo Team · Updated

Tap to hear a phrase. Levels follow the CEFR scale. American English is the default; British variants are noted.

Making an appointment

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

I'd like to make an appointment, please.

A1

UK: 'book an appointment' is very common too.

Randevu almak istiyorum.
  • What seems to be the problem?
  • Is tomorrow morning okay?

Is there anything available today?

A2
Bugün boş bir saat var mı?
  • We have a slot at 3:30.
  • Sorry, we're fully booked today.

Can I see a doctor today?

A1
Bugün bir doktora görünebilir miyim?
  • Is it urgent?
  • Please take a seat and we'll call you.

I'm a new patient.

A1

You will usually fill in a form with your details and medical history.

Yeni hastayım.
  • Please fill out this form.
  • Can I see your ID and insurance card?

Do you accept my insurance?

A2

Common question in the US. In the UK, GP visits are usually through the NHS.

Sigortamı kabul ediyor musunuz?
  • Which insurance do you have?
  • Let me check for you.

I need to cancel my appointment.

A2
Randevumu iptal etmem gerekiyor.
  • Would you like to reschedule?
  • What's your name and date of birth?

I'm here for my 10 o'clock appointment.

A2
Saat 10'daki randevum için geldim.
  • What's your name, please?
  • The doctor will see you shortly.

Saying how you feel

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

I don't feel well.

A1

UK: 'I'm not feeling very well' or 'I feel unwell'.

Kendimi iyi hissetmiyorum.
  • What are your symptoms?
  • How long have you felt like this?

I feel sick.

A1

In the UK this usually means nausea. In the US it can mean ill in general.

Midem bulanıyor.
  • Have you vomited?
  • When did it start?

I feel dizzy.

A2
Başım dönüyor.
  • Sit down for a moment.
  • Have you eaten today?

I've been feeling tired all the time.

B1
Sürekli yorgun hissediyorum.
  • Are you sleeping well?
  • We should do a blood test.

I can't sleep at night.

A2
Geceleri uyuyamıyorum.
  • How many hours do you sleep?
  • Are you under a lot of stress?

It's getting worse.

A2
Gittikçe kötüleşiyor.
  • Since when?
  • Let me take a look.

Describing symptoms

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

I have a headache.

A1

Use 'a' with headache, stomachache, toothache, sore throat and cold.

Başım ağrıyor.
  • How long have you had it?
  • Have you taken anything for it?

I have a sore throat.

A1
Boğazım ağrıyor.
  • Open your mouth and say 'ah'.
  • Do you have a fever too?

I have a fever.

A1

UK: 'I have a temperature' is more common.

Ateşim var.
  • Have you taken your temperature?
  • How high is it?

I have a bad cough.

A2
Kötü bir öksürüğüm var.
  • Is it a dry cough?
  • Are you coughing anything up?

My nose is running.

A2

Also: 'I have a runny nose' or 'a stuffy nose' (UK: 'a blocked nose').

Burnum akıyor.
  • It sounds like a cold.
  • Any other symptoms?

My stomach hurts.

A1
Midem ağrıyor.
  • Where exactly does it hurt?
  • What did you eat yesterday?

I've had diarrhea since yesterday.

B1

UK spelling: diarrhoea.

Dünden beri ishalim var.
  • Drink plenty of water.
  • Have you had a fever?

I think I'm allergic to something.

B1
Sanırım bir şeye alerjim var.
  • Do you have a rash?
  • Have you eaten anything new?

I have a rash on my arm.

B1
Kolumda kızarıklık var.
  • Is it itchy?
  • Let me have a look.

Explaining pain

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

It hurts here.

A1

Point to the place. Very useful when you don't know the word.

Burası ağrıyor.
  • Does it hurt when I press here?
  • Is the pain sharp or dull?

It's a sharp pain.

B1
Keskin, batan bir ağrı.
  • Does it come and go?
  • When does it get worse?

It's a dull ache.

B2
Künt, hafif bir ağrı.
  • How long have you had it?
  • Is it there all the time?

It hurts when I breathe.

A2
Nefes alınca acıyor.
  • Take a deep breath for me.
  • We'll do an X-ray.

I hurt my ankle.

A2
Bileğimi incittim.
  • How did it happen?
  • Can you put weight on it?

On a scale of 1 to 10, it's about a 7.

B1

Doctors often ask: 'On a scale of 1 to 10, how bad is the pain?'

1'den 10'a kadar bir ölçekte 7 civarı.
  • Okay, that's quite bad.
  • Has it changed today?

Medical history

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

I'm allergic to penicillin.

A2

Always say this before you get any medicine.

Penisiline alerjim var.
  • Thank you, I'll note that.
  • Any other allergies?

I'm taking medication for high blood pressure.

B1
Yüksek tansiyon için ilaç kullanıyorum.
  • What's the name of it?
  • What dose do you take?

I have asthma.

A2
Astımım var.
  • Do you have an inhaler with you?
  • Is it under control?

I'm pregnant.

A2
Hamileyim.
  • How many weeks?
  • Thanks for telling me.

Treatment and medicine

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

Is it serious?

A2
Ciddi bir şey mi?
  • No, it's just a virus.
  • I'd like to run some tests.

Do I need a prescription?

A2
Reçete gerekiyor mu?
  • Yes, I'll write one for you.
  • No, you can buy it over the counter.

How often should I take this?

A2
Bunu ne sıklıkla almalıyım?
  • Twice a day, with food.
  • Every six hours.

Are there any side effects?

B1
Yan etkileri var mı?
  • It might make you sleepy.
  • Some people get a mild headache.

Should I come back for a check-up?

B1
Kontrole tekrar gelmeli miyim?
  • Yes, in two weeks.
  • Only if it doesn't get better.

Could you write me a doctor's note for work?

B1

UK: 'a sick note' or 'a fit note'.

İş için bir rapor yazabilir misiniz?
  • Sure, how many days do you need?
  • Yes, I'll print one for you.

Where is the nearest pharmacy?

A1

US also says 'drugstore'. UK: 'chemist's'.

En yakın eczane nerede?
  • There's one across the street.
  • Just around the corner.

Sample dialogues

Booking an appointment by phone

Receptionist
Good morning, Riverside Clinic. How can I help you?
Günaydın, Riverside Kliniği. Size nasıl yardımcı olabilirim?
Patient
Hi, I'd like to make an appointment, please.
Merhaba, randevu almak istiyorum.
Receptionist
Sure. What seems to be the problem?
Tabii. Sorun nedir?
Patient
I've had a sore throat and a fever for three days.
Üç gündür boğazım ağrıyor ve ateşim var.
Receptionist
Are you a new patient?
Yeni hasta mısınız?
Patient
Yes, I am. Is there anything available today?
Evet. Bugün boş bir saat var mı?
Receptionist
We have a slot at 4:15 this afternoon.
Bu öğleden sonra 4.15'te boş yerimiz var.
Patient
Great, I'll take it. Thank you.
Harika, onu alayım. Teşekkürler.

In the examination room

Doctor
Hello. What brings you in today?
Merhaba. Bugün sizi buraya getiren nedir?
Patient
My stomach hurts, and I feel sick.
Midem ağrıyor ve midem bulanıyor.
Doctor
How long have you had these symptoms?
Bu belirtiler ne zamandır var?
Patient
Since last night. It's getting worse.
Dün geceden beri. Gittikçe kötüleşiyor.
Doctor
Are you allergic to any medication?
Herhangi bir ilaca alerjiniz var mı?
Patient
Yes, I'm allergic to penicillin.
Evet, penisiline alerjim var.
Doctor
Okay. I'll give you something for the nausea. Drink plenty of water.
Peki. Bulantı için bir ilaç vereceğim. Bol su için.
Patient
How often should I take it?
Ne sıklıkla almalıyım?
Doctor
Three times a day, after meals.
Günde üç kez, yemeklerden sonra.

Common mistakes Turkish speakers make

My head is aching me.

I have a headache.

Turkish 'başım ağrıyor' is not translated word for word. English uses 'have a' + ache or 'my head hurts'.

I have fever.

I have a fever.

Fever, cold, headache and cough take 'a' in English, even though Turkish has no article.

I want to take an appointment.

I'd like to make an appointment.

'Randevu almak' is 'make' or 'book' an appointment, not 'take'. 'I'd like' also sounds more polite than 'I want'.

I am sick since two days.

I've been sick for two days.

For something that started in the past and continues now, use the present perfect with 'for' + a period of time.

Can you give me a recipe?

Can you give me a prescription?

False friend: Turkish 'reçete' is 'prescription'. A 'recipe' is instructions for cooking.

Quick quiz

Eight questions to check what you remember. Pick an answer to see if it is right.

  1. 1. What do you say to book a visit?

  2. 2. Choose the correct sentence.

  3. 3. What is 'reçete' in English?

  4. 4. In the UK, 'I feel sick' usually means:

  5. 5. Complete: 'I've had this cough ___ Monday.'

  6. 6. Which question asks about medicine timing?

  7. 7. What is a UK word for a pharmacy?

  8. 8. The doctor asks 'Is the pain sharp or dull?' A good answer is:

0 of 8 answered

Show all answers
  1. I'd like to make an appointment, please.
  2. I have a headache.
  3. prescription
  4. I feel like I might vomit.
  5. since
  6. How often should I take this?
  7. chemist's
  8. It's a sharp pain.

See what the A2 English course covers, or test your level first.

People also ask

How do I describe pain to a doctor in English?+

Say where it hurts ("It hurts here"), what kind of pain it is (sharp, dull, burning) and how long you have had it. Doctors also ask you to rate it on a scale of 1 to 10.

What number do I call in an emergency?+

Call 911 in the US and 999 or 112 in the UK. Say "I need an ambulance" and give your location first.

Is it 'I have a fever' or 'I have a temperature'?+

Both are correct. Americans usually say 'I have a fever', while British speakers often say 'I have a temperature'.

Should I use 'siz' style politeness in English with a doctor?+

English has no 'siz' form, so politeness comes from phrases like 'Could you...', 'I'd like...' and 'please'. Use these with receptionists and doctors.

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