【Learn Chinese】Your Vocabulary Guide to Doctor's Appointments (Part 2)

Now that you know which doctor to see, let's learn what to say! Communicating your symptoms clearly is key to getting the right help.
Here are some useful words and phrases for your appointment.

1. Making the Appointment & Registration:
You can call to 预约 (yùyuē) (make an appointment). You might say: "我想预约看全科医生。" (Wǒ xiǎng yùyuē kàn quánkē yīshēng.) - "I would like to make an appointment to see a GP." At the hospital, tell the staff at 挂号处 (guàhào chù): "我要挂...科。" (Wǒ yào guà... kē.) - "I need to register for the [department]." Then, you will wait for your number to be called.

2. Describing How You Feel:
The doctor will likely ask: "你怎么了?" (Nǐ zěnme le?) or "你哪里不舒服?" (Nǐ nǎlǐ bù shūfu?) - "What's wrong?" or "Where do you feel uncomfortable?"
You can respond with:
"我发烧了。" (Wǒ fāshāo le.) - "I have a fever."
"我头疼/嗓子疼/肚子疼。" (Wǒ tóuténg/sǎngzi téng/dùzi téng.) - "I have a headache/sore throat/stomachache."
"我咳嗽和流鼻涕。" (Wǒ késou hé liú bítì.) - "I have a cough and a runny nose."
"我过敏了。" (Wǒ guòmǐn le.) - "I'm having an allergy."
"我感到头晕和恶心。" (Wǒ gǎndào tóuyūn hé ěxīn.) - "I feel dizzy and nauseous."

3. During the Consultation:
The doctor might say: "让我检查一下。" (Ràng wǒ jiǎnchá yíxià.) - "Let me examine you." They may check your 体温 (tīwēn) (temperature) or 血压 (xuèyā) (blood pressure). It's important to mention if you are 对...过敏 (duì... guòmǐn) (allergic to...) any medication.

4. Understanding the Diagnosis & Treatment:
Finally, the doctor will give you a 诊断 (zhěnduàn) (diagnosis). They might write you a 处方 (chǔfāng) (prescription) for 药 (yào) (medicine). They will tell you how to 服用药 (fúyòng yào) (take the medicine) - for example, "一天三次，一次一片。" (Yì tiān sān cì, yí cì yí piàn.) - "Three times a day, one pill each time."

Don't be afraid to ask questions! "严重吗?" (Yánzhòng ma?) - "Is it serious?" or "我需要回来复诊吗?" (Wǒ xūyào huílái fùzhěn ma?) - "Do I need to come back for a follow-up?" Being prepared with these phrases will make your visit to the 医院 (yīyuàn) much smoother