Health and Emergencies
This is the unit where English stops being a school subject and becomes a real tool. The phrases here can help you describe symptoms, ask for the right medication, and — in the worst case — get an ambulance to your door. Master the passive voice and advice modals: should, ought to, and had better.
Survival Phrases
Real medical situations with the exact English you need. Read the situation, then reveal the phrase. Memorize the high-urgency ones — your safety may depend on them.
At the Doctor
Phrases for describing symptoms and asking questions during a doctor's appointment. These are the exact words doctors expect to hear.
The situation:
You've had a sore throat for 3 days and want to describe it.
The situation:
You need to ask about how to take a medication.
The situation:
You're allergic to penicillin and need to make sure the doctor knows.
The situation:
You don't understand what the doctor just said.
Dialogue Practice
A typical doctor's appointment from start to finish. Notice how every patient question and doctor recommendation uses the structures from this unit.
Dr. Wilson
Good morning. So tell me, what brings you in today?
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Carmen
I've had lower back pain for about two weeks now. It's been getting worse, especially in the morning.
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Dr. Wilson
I see. Have you been doing any heavy lifting recently?
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Carmen
Not really. But I should mention that my office chair was replaced last month, and it's not very comfortable.
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Dr. Wilson
That could definitely be the cause. I'd like to examine your back, and then I think you should consider seeing a physical therapist.
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Carmen
Of course. Could you explain what a physical therapist does? I want to make sure I understand the recommendation.
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Dr. Wilson
Of course. They'll teach you exercises that strengthen your back muscles. You ought to see results within a few weeks.
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Carmen
That sounds like a good plan. Should I take anything for the pain in the meantime?
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Key Phrases
What brings you in today?
¿Qué lo/la trae por aquí hoy?
The standard opening question from any U.S. doctor. Be ready for it.
I've had X for...
He tenido X por...
Present perfect — the correct tense for describing how long you've had a symptom.
I should mention...
Debo mencionar...
The polite way to add a relevant detail you almost forgot. Doctors love this phrase.
Structure Builder
Passive voice and advice modals — the foundation of medical English.
The patient was examined by the doctor.
El paciente fue examinado por la doctora.
Your prescription will be ready in 20 minutes.
Su receta estará lista en 20 minutos.
Side effects have been reported, but they're rare.
Se han reportado efectos secundarios, pero son raros.
These results need to be reviewed by a specialist.
Estos resultados necesitan ser revisados por un especialista.
Error Correction
Six errors that can confuse doctors or, worse, minimize serious symptoms.
Pronunciation Lab
Schwa sounds in passive constructions and tricky medical vocabulary.
be taken
Spanish stress pattern
BE TAKEN
English stress pattern
bi TAY-kən
In passive voice, 'be taken' flows together. The 'be' is short /bi/ and 'taken' has a schwa in the second syllable: TAY-kən, not TAY-ken. 'Should be taken' = 'shʊd-bi-TAY-kən'.
Self-Test
Test yourself on symptom expressions, doctor question phrases, and emergency vocabulary.
He tenido dolor de garganta por...
expression