Speaking • Practical Situations
At the Doctor — Medical Chinese Phrases
Medical situations require precise language. This page covers how to describe symptoms, answer a doctor's questions, navigate a pharmacy, and handle emergencies — all essential for staying safe in a Chinese-speaking environment.
Describing Symptoms
| 汉字 Chinese | 拼音 Pīnyīn | English |
|---|---|---|
我不舒服 | wǒ bù shūfu | I don't feel well / I'm uncomfortable |
我头疼 | wǒ tóuténg | I have a headache |
我发烧了 | wǒ fāshāo le | I have a fever |
我肚子疼 | wǒ dùzi téng | I have a stomachache |
我嗓子疼 | wǒ sǎngzi téng | I have a sore throat |
我咳嗽 | wǒ késòu | I'm coughing |
我拉肚子 | wǒ lā dùzi | I have diarrhoea |
我呕吐了 | wǒ ǒutù le | I've been vomiting |
这里很疼 | zhèlǐ hěn téng | It hurts here (pointing to area) |
是刺痛/钝痛 | shì cì tòng / dùn tòng | It's a sharp pain / dull ache |
Answering the Doctor's Questions
| 汉字 Chinese | 拼音 Pīnyīn | English |
|---|---|---|
已经…天了 | yǐjīng… tiān le | It's been … days already |
昨天开始的 | zuótiān kāishǐ de | It started yesterday |
我对…过敏 | wǒ duì… guòmǐn | I'm allergic to… (e.g. 青霉素 qīngméisù = penicillin) |
我在吃…药 | wǒ zài chī… yào | I'm currently taking… medication |
我有…的病史 | wǒ yǒu… de bìngshǐ | I have a medical history of… |
我没有做过手术 | wǒ méiyǒu zuò guò shǒushù | I've never had surgery |
我怀孕了 | wǒ huáiyùn le | I'm pregnant |
我需要开药方吗？ | wǒ xūyào kāi yào fāng ma? | Do I need a prescription? |
At the Pharmacy
| 汉字 Chinese | 拼音 Pīnyīn | English |
|---|---|---|
我想买… | wǒ xiǎng mǎi… | I'd like to buy… (medicine) |
有没有感冒药？ | yǒuméiyǒu gǎnmào yào? | Do you have cold medicine? |
这药怎么吃？ | zhè yào zěnme chī? | How do I take this medicine? |
一天吃几次？ | yītiān chī jǐ cì? | How many times a day should I take it? |
饭前还是饭后吃？ | fàn qián háishì fàn hòu chī? | Before or after meals? |
有副作用吗？ | yǒu fùzuòyòng ma? | Are there any side effects? |
这药要注意什么？ | zhè yào yào zhùyì shénme? | What should I watch out for with this medicine? |
有中文说明书吗？ | yǒu zhōngwén shuōmíng shū ma? | Is there a Chinese instruction leaflet? |
Emergency Phrases
| 汉字 Chinese | 拼音 Pīnyīn | English |
|---|---|---|
救命！ | jiùmìng! | Help! / Save me! (life-threatening emergency) |
快叫救护车！ | kuài jiào jiùhùchē! | Call an ambulance quickly! |
他晕倒了！ | tā yūndǎo le! | He/She has fainted / collapsed! |
他/她出血了 | tā chūxuè le | He/She is bleeding |
紧急联系人是… | jǐnjí liánxì rén shì… | My emergency contact is… |
我需要马上就医 | wǒ xūyào mǎshàng jiùyī | I need to see a doctor immediately |
最近的医院在哪里？ | zuìjìn de yīyuàn zài nǎlǐ? | Where is the nearest hospital? |
请帮我打120 | qǐng bāng wǒ dǎ yāo èr líng | Please call 120 for me (China's emergency number) |
Usage Notes
China's medical emergency number is 120 (pronounced yāo èr líng). Police is 110, fire is 119. In Taiwan, the emergency number is 119 for both fire and ambulance, and 110 for police. Memorise the relevant numbers before travelling.
China has both Western medicine hospitals (西医院 xīyī yuàn) and Traditional Chinese Medicine hospitals (中医院 zhōngyī yuàn). If you prefer Western medicine treatment, specify 我想看西医 (I want to see a Western medicine doctor). Most major hospitals offer both.
Chinese pharmacies (药店 yào diàn) sell a very wide range of medicines over the counter, including many that would require a prescription elsewhere. Staff are generally knowledgeable and will help you find the right medicine if you can describe your symptoms.