Visiting the doctor is an important part of taking care of your health. In this lesson, you’ll learn essential vocabulary and expressions to describe basic symptoms and communicate effectively during a medical visit. Let’s begin!
Vocabulary for the Doctor’s Office
Learn these key words and phrases related to medical symptoms and doctor visits.
Listen and repeat!
Medical Terms:
- Doctor – A medical professional who diagnoses and treats illnesses.
- Nurse – A healthcare provider who assists doctors and cares for patients.
- Appointment – A scheduled meeting with a healthcare provider.
- Fever – An elevated body temperature indicating illness.
- Cough – A reflex action to clear the throat or airway.
- Headache – Pain in the head or upper neck region.
- Sore throat – Discomfort or pain in the throat.
- Cold – A common viral infection with mild symptoms.
- Medicine – A substance used to treat or prevent illness.
- Prescription – A written order for medicine from a doctor.
- Hospital – A healthcare facility for treatment and care.
- Checkup – A routine examination of your health.
- Symptoms – Signs that indicate you are unwell.
- Allergy – A reaction to certain foods or environmental factors.
- Pain – Discomfort in a specific part of your body.
- Nausea – A feeling that you might vomit.
- Dizzy – Feeling unsteady or lightheaded.
- Injection – A shot given by a doctor or nurse.
- Bandage – A strip of material used to cover a wound.
- Diagnosis – The identification of a disease or condition.
Common Phrases and Expressions:
- “I have a fever.” – Saying that your body temperature is high.
- “I’m feeling unwell.” – A general way to say you are sick.
- “I have a headache.” – Describing pain in your head.
- “My throat hurts.” – Expressing discomfort in your throat.
- “I need to see a doctor.” – Requesting medical help.
- “Could you help me, please?” – Asking for assistance.
- “How long have you been sick?” – Asking about the duration of illness.
- “Do I need a prescription?” – Asking if you require medicine.
- “When is my next appointment?” – Confirming the date for your next visit.
- “Thank you for your help.” – Expressing gratitude after receiving care.
- “I am not feeling well.” – A way to say you are sick or unwell.
- “My stomach hurts.” – Telling the doctor about pain in your stomach.
- “I feel nauseous.” – Indicating that you feel like you might vomit.
- “I am allergic to [something].” – Informing the doctor about your allergies.
Real-Life Dialogues: At the Doctor’s Office
Here are 10 dialogues to help you practice conversations at a doctor’s office. Try practicing both roles!
Dialogue 1: Making an Appointment
Patient: Hello, I need to make an appointment with Dr. Smith.
Receptionist: Hello, sure. When would you like to come?
Patient: I would like to come tomorrow in the morning.
Receptionist: Tomorrow morning is available. Is 10:00 AM okay?
Patient: Yes, that is fine. Thank you.
Receptionist: You are welcome. See you tomorrow.
Receptionist: Hello, sure. When would you like to come?
Patient: I would like to come tomorrow in the morning.
Receptionist: Tomorrow morning is available. Is 10:00 AM okay?
Patient: Yes, that is fine. Thank you.
Receptionist: You are welcome. See you tomorrow.
Dialogue 2: Describing Your Symptoms
Patient: I have a headache and a sore throat. I feel tired too.
Doctor: Do you have a fever or a cough as well?
Patient: Yes, I have a little fever and a small cough.
Doctor: How long have you felt these symptoms?
Patient: I have been sick since yesterday morning.
Doctor: I understand. Let’s check your temperature.
Doctor: Do you have a fever or a cough as well?
Patient: Yes, I have a little fever and a small cough.
Doctor: How long have you felt these symptoms?
Patient: I have been sick since yesterday morning.
Doctor: I understand. Let’s check your temperature.
Dialogue 3: Asking for More Details
Doctor: Can you tell me more about your symptoms?
Patient: My head hurts, and my throat is sore. I also have a cough.
Doctor: Does it hurt when you swallow?
Patient: Yes, it hurts a little when I swallow.
Doctor: Thank you for telling me.
Patient: My head hurts, and my throat is sore. I also have a cough.
Doctor: Does it hurt when you swallow?
Patient: Yes, it hurts a little when I swallow.
Doctor: Thank you for telling me.
Dialogue 4: Undergoing a Checkup
Doctor: I will check your temperature and listen to your breathing.
Patient: Okay, doctor.
Doctor: Please open your mouth and take a deep breath.
Patient: (Opens mouth and breathes deeply)
Doctor: Your temperature is a bit high. I will check your throat now.
Patient: Thank you, doctor.
Patient: Okay, doctor.
Doctor: Please open your mouth and take a deep breath.
Patient: (Opens mouth and breathes deeply)
Doctor: Your temperature is a bit high. I will check your throat now.
Patient: Thank you, doctor.
Dialogue 5: Requesting Medicine
Patient: Do I need any medicine for my symptoms?
Doctor: Yes, I will give you medicine for your fever and pain.
Patient: How should I take the medicine?
Doctor: Take one pill every 8 hours with food.
Patient: Okay, doctor. Thank you.
Doctor: Yes, I will give you medicine for your fever and pain.
Patient: How should I take the medicine?
Doctor: Take one pill every 8 hours with food.
Patient: Okay, doctor. Thank you.
Dialogue 6: Clarifying the Prescription
Patient: Can you explain the prescription to me?
Doctor: Of course. You need to take one pill every 8 hours after meals.
Patient: Should I take it with water?
Doctor: Yes, take it with a glass of water each time.
Patient: Thank you, doctor.
Doctor: Of course. You need to take one pill every 8 hours after meals.
Patient: Should I take it with water?
Doctor: Yes, take it with a glass of water each time.
Patient: Thank you, doctor.
Dialogue 7: Asking About a Follow-up
Patient: Do I need to come back for another visit?
Doctor: Yes, you should come back in one week.
Patient: Will I have to take more medicine then?
Doctor: We will check your progress and decide if you need more medicine.
Patient: Okay, I understand. Thank you.
Doctor: Yes, you should come back in one week.
Patient: Will I have to take more medicine then?
Doctor: We will check your progress and decide if you need more medicine.
Patient: Okay, I understand. Thank you.
Dialogue 8: Expressing Concern
Patient: I am very worried about my cough. It does not go away.
Doctor: I understand your concern.
Patient: Is it serious?
Doctor: It may not be very serious, but we need to do a test.
Patient: What kind of test will you do?
Doctor: We will do a simple breathing test and a throat swab.
Patient: Okay, thank you for explaining.
Doctor: I understand your concern.
Patient: Is it serious?
Doctor: It may not be very serious, but we need to do a test.
Patient: What kind of test will you do?
Doctor: We will do a simple breathing test and a throat swab.
Patient: Okay, thank you for explaining.
Dialogue 9: Thanking the Doctor
Patient: Thank you very much for helping me today.
Doctor: You’re welcome. Please take good care of yourself.
Patient: I will rest and follow your advice.
Doctor: Good. If you feel worse, call us immediately.
Patient: I will. Thank you again.
Doctor: You’re welcome. Please take good care of yourself.
Patient: I will rest and follow your advice.
Doctor: Good. If you feel worse, call us immediately.
Patient: I will. Thank you again.
Dialogue 10: Scheduling a Follow-up Appointment
Receptionist: Your next appointment is scheduled for next Monday at 10 AM.
Patient: Thank you. Do I need to bring any documents?
Receptionist: Just bring your insurance card and a list of any medications you are taking.
Patient: Okay, I will do that.
Receptionist: Great. See you next Monday.
Patient: Thank you. Do I need to bring any documents?
Receptionist: Just bring your insurance card and a list of any medications you are taking.
Patient: Okay, I will do that.
Receptionist: Great. See you next Monday.
