Health & Hospital

54 phrases · German with romanization, English and audio

  1. Ich habe Kopfschmerzen

    I have a headache

    Usage

    Used to describe a headache to a doctor or pharmacist

    Grammar Note

    "Kopfschmerzen" is typically used in the plural. Same pattern: Bauchschmerzen (stomachache), Zahnschmerzen (toothache)

  2. Bitte rufen Sie einen Krankenwagen

    Please call an ambulance

    Usage

    Used in emergencies to ask someone nearby to call an ambulance

    Grammar Note

    "Rufen Sie" is the formal imperative. "Einen Krankenwagen" uses the indefinite article in accusative (masculine noun)

  3. Ich bin gegen Penicillin allergisch

    I am allergic to penicillin

    Usage

    Used to inform a doctor or pharmacist about a drug allergy; swap the allergen name as needed

    Grammar Note

    The pattern "gegen + substance + allergisch sein" expresses any allergy. Works for food allergies too

  4. Wo ist die nächste Apotheke?

    Where is the nearest pharmacy?

    Usage

    Used to locate the nearest pharmacy when medicine is needed

    Grammar Note

    "Nächste" is the superlative of "nah" (near). "Apotheke" is feminine, hence "die nächste Apotheke"

  5. Ich habe Fieber

    I have a fever

    Usage

    Used to inform a doctor or those around you that you have a fever

    Grammar Note

    "Fieber" is typically used without an article. Adding the temperature helps: "39 Grad Fieber"

  6. Haben Sie ein Schmerzmittel?

    Do you have a painkiller?

    Usage

    Used at a pharmacy or hotel front desk to request a painkiller

    Grammar Note

    "Schmerzmittel" is a neuter noun, so the indefinite article "ein" is used

  7. Mir ist übel

    I feel nauseous

    Usage

    Used to describe nausea to a doctor or travel companion

    Grammar Note

    Literally "to me it is unwell." The subject "es" is implied. This is an idiomatic dative construction

  8. Ich brauche einen Arzt, der Englisch spricht

    I need a doctor who speaks English

    Usage

    Used by foreign travelers in Germany to find an English-speaking doctor

    Grammar Note

    "Der" is a relative pronoun referring to "Arzt" (masculine). In German relative clauses, the verb goes to the end

  9. Ich habe eine Reiseversicherung

    I have travel insurance

    Usage

    Used when visiting a clinic to let medical staff know you have travel insurance

    Grammar Note

    "Versicherung" is feminine; the accusative article remains "eine" (same as nominative for feminine nouns)

  10. Können Sie mir ein Rezept ausstellen?

    Could you write me a prescription?

    Usage

    Politely asks a doctor to write a prescription after a medical examination

    Grammar Note

    "Ausstellen" is a separable verb; "aus" moves to the end. "Können Sie" + infinitive forms a polite request

  11. Ich bin schwanger

    I am pregnant

    Usage

    Say this first at a clinic or pharmacy: it changes what medication, X-rays, or anaesthesia are safe

    Grammar Note

    "Schwanger" is an adjective and does not inflect here; give the week as "in der 12. Woche"

  12. die Krankenversicherung

    Health insurance

    Usage

    Point to this when reception asks about insurance; travel insurance is "die Reiseversicherung"

    Grammar Note

    Feminine noun; in Germany you may be asked whether you are "gesetzlich" (public) or "privat" (private)

  13. das Asthma

    Asthma

    Usage

    Point to this to tell a doctor or pharmacist about a chronic condition

  14. der Diabetes

    Diabetes

    Usage

    Point to this to declare the condition, also when explaining dietary limits

    Grammar Note

    Masculine noun; colloquially also "die Zuckerkrankheit"

  15. der Bluthochdruck

    High blood pressure

    Usage

    Point to this to tell a doctor or pharmacist about high blood pressure

  16. die Herzkrankheit

    Heart disease

    Usage

    Point to this to declare a heart condition; show it first in an emergency

  17. die Epilepsie

    Epilepsy

    Usage

    Point to this to warn staff or a doctor that a seizure is possible

  18. der Knochenbruch

    Fracture

    Usage

    Point to this after a fall to say you suspect a broken bone

    Grammar Note

    Masculine noun; clinics also use "die Fraktur"

  19. die Atemnot

    Difficulty breathing

    Usage

    Point to this when you cannot speak; it raises the triage priority

  20. der Schwindel

    Dizziness

    Usage

    Point to this to report dizziness or light-headedness

    Grammar Note

    Masculine noun; "Schwindel" can also mean a swindle, but in a medical setting it reads only as dizziness

  21. die Blutung

    Bleeding

    Usage

    Point to this to report bleeding, then point at the spot on your body

  22. die Verbrennung

    Burn

    Usage

    Point to this to report a burn injury

  23. die Wunde

    Wound

    Usage

    Point to this while showing a cut or graze

  24. das Ohr

    Ear

    Usage

    Point to this for earache or hearing trouble

    Grammar Note

    Neuter noun; the plural is "die Ohren"

  25. der Nacken

    Neck (back of the neck)

    Usage

    Point to this for a stiff or strained neck; the front of the neck (throat) is "der Hals"

    Grammar Note

    Masculine noun; German splits the neck into "der Nacken" (nape) and "der Hals" (front of the neck / throat)

  26. die Schulter

    Shoulder

    Usage

    Point to this for shoulder pain

  27. das Knie

    Knee

    Usage

    Point to this for knee pain or injury

  28. der Finger

    Finger

    Usage

    Point to this for a finger injury; a toe is "der Zeh"

    Grammar Note

    Masculine noun; the plural is identical, "die Finger"

  29. die Haut

    Skin

    Usage

    Point to this to report a skin problem

  30. der Arm

    Arm

    Usage

    Point to this for arm pain or injury

  31. die Nase

    Nose

    Usage

    Point to this for a blocked nose or a nosebleed

  32. der Husten

    Cough

    Usage

    Point to this to report a cough, including at a pharmacy

  33. der Juckreiz

    Itching

    Usage

    Point to this to report itching

  34. der Hautausschlag

    Rash

    Usage

    Point to this while showing a rash on your skin

    Grammar Note

    Masculine noun; plain "Ausschlag" has other senses, so the compound with "Haut-" is the safe card

  35. die Verstopfung

    Constipation

    Usage

    Point to this at a pharmacy or clinic for constipation; diarrhoea is "der Durchfall"

    Grammar Note

    Feminine noun; it can also mean a clogged pipe, but in a pharmacy or clinic it reads only as constipation

  36. die Periode

    Period (menstruation)

    Usage

    The everyday German word for menstruation, for use at a pharmacy or clinic

    Grammar Note

    Feminine noun; it also means an era or interval, so show it in a pharmacy or gynaecology context. Softer everyday terms are "die Regel" and "die Tage"

  37. die Blutgruppe

    Blood type

    Usage

    Asked before a transfusion or an operation; show it together with your own group (A / B / AB / O and Rh). Feminine noun

  38. das ärztliche Attest

    Medical certificate

    Usage

    The paper you ask a doctor for to claim insurance or to prove an absence or cancellation. German "Attest" covers both a diagnosis note and a fitness-to-do-something certificate, so say what you need it for. Neuter noun

  39. der Krankenhausaufenthalt

    Hospital admission

    Usage

    For checking whether you have to be admitted, or when you are told that you will be. Staff contrast "stationär" (inpatient) with "ambulant" (outpatient). Masculine noun

  40. der Schüttelfrost

    Chills

    Usage

    For the shivering and cold feeling that comes as a fever rises. Masculine noun

  41. die Erkältung

    Common cold

    Usage

    Covers a cough, blocked nose and hoarseness together; influenza is "die Grippe" and is a different word. Feminine noun

  42. Rufen Sie bitte einen Arzt

    Please call a doctor

    Usage

    Ask a bystander to call a doctor when someone needs to be seen on the spot

  43. Ich habe hier Schmerzen

    It hurts here

    Usage

    Say this while pointing at the spot that hurts; it works even when you do not know the name of the body part

    Grammar Note

    The adverb "hier" stands in for a body-part phrase. "Schmerzen" is used in the plural as a symptom

  44. Ich fühle mich nicht wohl

    I feel sick

    Usage

    Say that you are unwell before going into specific symptoms

    Grammar Note

    The negation "nicht" goes immediately before the word it negates ("wohl")

  45. Ich fühle mich schlapp

    My body feels sluggish

    Usage

    Describe a heavy, strengthless feeling to a doctor; it is distinct from ordinary tiredness that sleep fixes ("Ich bin müde")

    Grammar Note

    One sense of "schlapp" is being without strength and tired, limp — which is what this card reports

  46. Ich habe mehrmals erbrochen

    I have vomited several times

    Usage

    Tell a doctor that you have been vomiting, and roughly how often

    Grammar Note

    "Erbrechen" means bringing up undigested food. The present perfect is "haben" plus the past participle. For nausea without vomiting, use "Mir ist übel"

  47. Muss ich mich ausruhen?

    Do I need to rest?

    Usage

    Check with the doctor after an examination whether you need to rest

    Grammar Note

    The "Muss ich + infinitive?" frame; with a modal the infinitive goes to the end. The reflexive verb "sich ausruhen" means recovering through rest

  48. der Durchfall

    Diarrhea

    Usage

    Point to this at a pharmacy or clinic for diarrhea; constipation is "die Verstopfung"

    Grammar Note

    Masculine noun (der Durchfall), a compound of "durch" (through) and "Fall" (fall) that doctors use as it is. The plural is rarely used

  49. das Aa

    Poop

    Usage

    The word for poop when talking to children (child language). To a doctor, the neutral word is "der Stuhlgang" (bowel movement, stool). Avoid the vulgar "Scheiße"

    Grammar Note

    Neuter noun (das Aa); "Aa machen" means to poop. The same spelling is also a river name (feminine), but it is not confused with this in talk with children

  50. das Pipi

    Pee

    Usage

    The soft word for pee when talking to children (child language). At a clinic, urine is "der Urin". Avoid the vulgar "Pisse"

    Grammar Note

    Neuter noun (das Pipi) with no plural. It is usually used in "Pipi machen" and "Pipi müssen"

  51. Ich habe Durchfall

    I have diarrhea

    Usage

    Tells a doctor or pharmacist that you have diarrhea

    Grammar Note

    The "Ich habe + symptom" pattern. A symptom name takes no article, so "der Durchfall" becomes "Ich habe Durchfall"

  52. Ich habe Verstopfung

    I'm constipated

    Usage

    Tells a doctor or pharmacist that you are constipated

    Grammar Note

    "Die Verstopfung" placed in the "Ich habe + symptom" pattern. As a symptom name it drops the article, giving "Ich habe Verstopfung"

  53. Ich muss Pipi machen

    I need to pee

    Usage

    A casual way to tell a companion or a child that you need to pee. A more polite version is "Ich muss auf die Toilette" (I have to go to the toilet)

    Grammar Note

    "müssen + infinitive" puts the infinitive "machen" at the end of the clause. "Pipi machen" means to pee.

  54. Ich muss Aa machen

    I need to poop

    Usage

    A childish-leaning way to tell a child or a close companion that you need to poop; with other adults "Ich muss auf die Toilette" is safer

    Grammar Note

    The "müssen + noun + machen" pattern. "Aa machen" is a child-language phrase

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