Visiting a Doctor and Explaining Symptoms in Chinese

Visiting a doctor (看医生, kàn yīshēng) in China can be challenging if you don’t speak Chinese fluently. Being able to explain your symptoms (症状, zhèngzhuàng), ask questions about treatment, and understand medical advice is essential for getting proper care.

This guide will help you navigate a doctor’s visit confidently with practical sentences, example dialogues, and useful tips.

Making an Appointment

Before visiting, many hospitals (医院, yīyuàn) or clinics (诊所, zhěnsuǒ) require an appointment (预约, yùyuē). Knowing how to ask politely ensures you get a time slot that works for you.

Example sentences:
您好，我想预约看医生。 (Nín hǎo, wǒ xiǎng yùyuē kàn yīshēng.) – Hello, I would like to make a doctor’s appointment.
请问什么时候有空？ (Qǐngwèn shénme shíhòu yǒu kòng?) – When is there availability?
我想预约内科医生。 (Wǒ xiǎng yùyuē nèikē yīshēng.) – I want to make an appointment with a general practitioner.
需要带什么证件吗？ (Xūyào dài shénme zhèngjiàn ma?) – Do I need to bring any documents?

It’s useful to specify whether it’s a first visit (初诊, chūzhěn) or a follow-up (复诊, fùzhěn).
这是我第一次来医院。 (Zhè shì wǒ dì yī cì lái yīyuàn.) – This is my first time at the hospital.
我想复诊。 (Wǒ xiǎng fùzhěn.) – I want a follow-up visit.

Describing Symptoms

Explaining your symptoms accurately is crucial for a correct diagnosis. Using simple sentences helps the doctor understand you clearly.

Example sentences:
我头痛很严重。 (Wǒ tóutòng hěn yánzhòng.) – I have a severe headache.
我发烧三天了。 (Wǒ fāshāo sān tiān le.) – I have had a fever for three days.
咳嗽很厉害。 (Késou hěn lìhài.) – I have a bad cough.
我最近一直感到疲倦。 (Wǒ zuìjìn yīzhí gǎndào píjuàn.) – I have been feeling tired recently.

You can also describe when the symptoms occur and their severity.
早上我喉咙很痛。 (Zǎoshang wǒ hóulóng hěn tòng.) – My throat hurts in the morning.
晚上发烧更厉害。 (Wǎnshàng fāshāo gèng lìhài.) – The fever is worse at night.
我的胃有点不舒服。 (Wǒ de wèi yǒudiǎn bú shūfú.) – My stomach feels a bit uncomfortable.
我皮肤上有红色的疹子。 (Wǒ pífū shàng yǒu hóngsè de zhěnzi.) – I have red rashes on my skin.

Asking Questions About the Doctor’s Advice

After explaining your symptoms, you may want to clarify treatment, medications, or tests. Using polite and clear sentences ensures you understand everything.

Example sentences:
我需要做哪些检查？ (Wǒ xūyào zuò nǎxiē jiǎnchá?) – What tests do I need to take?
这个药怎么吃？ (Zhège yào zěnme chī?) – How should I take this medicine?
每天吃几次？ (Měitiān chī jǐ cì?) – How many times a day?
有什么副作用吗？ (Yǒu shénme fùzuòyòng ma?) – Are there any side effects?

You can also ask about alternative treatments or advice for recovery.
我可以吃中药吗？ (Wǒ kěyǐ chī zhōngyào ma?) – Can I take traditional Chinese medicine?
我需要休息多久？ (Wǒ xūyào xiūxí duōjiǔ?) – How long should I rest?
需要注意饮食吗？ (Xūyào zhùyì yǐnshí ma?) – Do I need to pay attention to my diet?

Buying Medicine at a Pharmacy

Many hospitals have pharmacies (药房, yàofáng), or you may visit one separately. Knowing how to ask for medication in Chinese helps you get the correct treatment.

Example sentences:
请给我开这个药。 (Qǐng gěi wǒ kāi zhège yào.) – Please give me this medicine.
有止咳药吗？ (Yǒu zhǐ ké yào ma?) – Do you have medicine for cough?
我需要退烧药。 (Wǒ xūyào tuìshāo yào.) – I need medicine to reduce fever.
这个药一天吃几次？ (Zhège yào yī tiān chī jǐ cì?) – How many times a day should I take this medicine?

If you have allergies (过敏, guòmǐn), it’s important to mention them.
我对青霉素过敏。 (Wǒ duì qīngméisù guòmǐn.) – I am allergic to penicillin.
这个药会引起过敏吗？ (Zhège yào huì yǐnqǐ guòmǐn ma?) – Will this medicine cause allergies?

Emergency Situations

In case of emergencies (急诊, jízhěn), knowing the right phrases is critical.

Example sentences:
请帮我叫救护车！ (Qǐng bāng wǒ jiào jiùhùchē!) – Please call an ambulance!
我晕倒了，需要帮助。 (Wǒ yūndǎo le, xūyào bāngzhù.) – I fainted and need help.
有人受伤吗？ (Yǒu rén shòushāng ma?) – Is anyone injured?
急诊在哪里？ (Jízhěn zài nǎlǐ?) – Where is the emergency room?

Practical Tips

When visiting a doctor in China:

1. Always carry your ID or passport (身份证, shēnfènzhèng / 护照, hùzhào) and any insurance card (医保卡, yībǎo kǎ).
2. Speak clearly and use simple sentences to describe symptoms.
3. Write down the names of medications (药名, yàomíng) to avoid confusion.
4. Ask about dosage (用量, yòngliàng) and side effects (副作用, fùzuòyòng) before taking medicine.
5. Keep any prescriptions (处方, chǔfāng) and medical reports (病历, bìnglì) for follow-up visits.

New Words

1. 看医生 (kàn yīshēng) – visiting a doctor
2. 症状 (zhèngzhuàng) – symptoms
3. 医院 (yīyuàn) – hospital
4. 诊所 (zhěnsuǒ) – clinic
5. 预约 (yùyuē) – appointment
6. 初诊 (chūzhěn) – first visit
7. 复诊 (fùzhěn) – follow-up visit
8. 药房 (yàofáng) – pharmacy
9. 过敏 (guòmǐn) – allergy
10. 急诊 (jízhěn) – emergency