Health & Hospital

51 phrases · English with romanization, English and audio

  1. I don't feel well.

    aɪ doʊnt fiːl wɛl

    Usage

    A general phrase to express feeling unwell when you can't identify the specific problem

    Grammar Note

    "I feel sick" often implies nausea specifically. "I'm not feeling well" is equally common

  2. I have a headache.

    aɪ hæv ə ˈhɛdeɪk

    Usage

    A template for describing symptoms; replace "a headache" with other ailments as needed

    Grammar Note

    "I have a + symptom" is the standard pattern. Uncountable illnesses drop the article ("I have diarrhea"), but "I have a fever" and "I have a cold" take one

  3. I need to see a doctor.

    aɪ niːd tuː siː ə ˈdɑːktər

    Usage

    Used to communicate the need for medical help; say this to hotel staff or bystanders

    Grammar Note

    "I need medical attention" sounds more urgent. "Can you call a doctor?" is also essential

  4. I'm allergic to penicillin.

    aɪm əˈlɜːrdʒɪk tuː ˌpɛnɪˈsɪlɪn

    Usage

    Critical information to share with any medical professional; replace the allergen as needed

    Grammar Note

    "I'm allergic to ~" is the standard construction. Common substitutions: peanuts, shellfish, latex

  5. Where is the nearest hospital?

    wɛr ɪz ðə ˈnɪrɪst ˈhɑːspɪtl

    Usage

    Used in emergencies to locate medical facilities; also ask for "emergency room" or "clinic"

    Grammar Note

    In a true emergency, "Call 911!" (US) or "999!" (UK) takes priority; this is for non-critical needs

  6. I have a high temperature.

    aɪ hæv ə haɪ ˈtɛmprɪtʃər

    Usage

    Describes having a fever; "I have a fever" is an equally common alternative

    Grammar Note

    Giving a number ("My temperature is 39 degrees C / 102 degrees F") is more precise and helpful to doctors

  7. Please call an ambulance.

    pliːz kɔːl æn ˈæmbjʊləns

    Usage

    Used in emergencies; speak clearly and loudly to ensure bystanders understand

    Grammar Note

    The imperative form conveys urgency. "Someone call 911!" directs a specific bystander to act

  8. I take medication for blood pressure.

    aɪ teɪk ˌmɛdɪˈkeɪʃən fɔːr blʌd ˈprɛʃər

    Usage

    Used when informing a doctor about ongoing medication; replace the condition as needed

    Grammar Note

    "I'm on medication for ~" is equivalent. To name the drug: "I take [drug name] for ~"

  9. Do you have travel insurance?

    duː juː hæv ˈtrævəl ɪnˈʃʊrəns

    Usage

    Medical costs abroad can be extremely high; hospitals often ask about insurance at check-in

    Grammar Note

    Reply "I have travel insurance." Ask "What does it cover?" to confirm what is included

  10. I need a prescription.

    aɪ niːd ə prɪˈskrɪpʃən

    Usage

    Used at a pharmacy or clinic when you need a doctor's written authorization for medication

    Grammar Note

    "Can I get this medication without a prescription?" checks if it is available over the counter

  11. Pregnant

    ˈprɛɡnənt

    Usage

    Critical before any medicine, X-ray, or anaesthetic — say it first at a clinic or pharmacy

  12. Asthma

    ˈæzmə

    Usage

    Tell a doctor about this condition; the puffer is called an "inhaler"

  13. Diabetes

    ˌdaɪəˈbiːtiːz

    Usage

    The word that frames any talk of diet limits or insulin

  14. High blood pressure

    haɪ blʌd ˈprɛʃər

    Usage

    Show it together with the medication you take

  15. Heart disease

    hɑːrt dɪˈziːz

    Usage

    A condition to declare first in an emergency or at a pharmacy

  16. Epilepsy

    ˈɛpɪlɛpsi

    Usage

    Also useful to show bystanders if a seizure happens

  17. Insurance

    ɪnˈʃʊrəns

    Usage

    Medical or travel insurance — show it at reception along with your policy card

  18. Broken bone

    ˈbroʊkən boʊn

    Usage

    Point to it when asking for an X-ray; the clinical word is "fracture"

  19. Difficulty breathing

    ˈdɪfɪkəlti ˈbriːðɪŋ

    Usage

    For pointing when you are too short of breath to speak

  20. Dizzy

    ˈdɪzi

    Usage

    Covers light-headedness and unsteadiness

  21. Bleeding

    ˈbliːdɪŋ

    Usage

    Show it while pointing at the bleeding spot

  22. Burn

    bɜːrn

    Usage

    A burn injury to the skin from heat, oil, or sun — not the verb "to burn"

  23. Wound

    wuːnd

    Usage

    A cut or graze on the skin; "cut" also means to cut or to reduce a price

  24. Ear

    ɪr

    Usage

    A body part to point at when showing where it hurts

  25. Neck

    nɛk

    Usage

    The outside of the neck; for pain inside use "throat"

  26. Shoulder

    ˈʃoʊldər

    Usage

    A body part to point at when showing where it hurts

  27. Knee

    niː

    Usage

    A body part to point at when showing where it hurts

  28. Finger

    ˈfɪŋɡər

    Usage

    A finger on the hand; a toe has its own word

  29. Skin

    skɪn

    Usage

    A body part to point at when showing where it hurts

  30. Arm

    ɑːrm

    Usage

    A body part to point at when showing where it hurts

  31. Nose

    noʊz

    Usage

    A body part to point at when showing where it hurts

  32. Cough

    kɔːf

    Usage

    The symptom; syrup or tablets for it are "cough medicine"

  33. Itchy

    ˈɪtʃi

    Usage

    Show it while pointing at the itchy spot

  34. Rash

    ræʃ

    Usage

    Red spots on the skin; also used when describing an allergic reaction

  35. Constipation

    ˌkɑːnstɪˈpeɪʃən

    Usage

    Show it at a pharmacy when asking for a laxative

  36. Menstrual period

    ˈmɛnstruəl ˈpɪriəd

    Usage

    Everyday English just says "period", but that word also means a span of time or a full stop

  37. Blood type

    ˈblʌd taɪp

    Usage

    Show this when asked about transfusions; also called "blood group"

  38. Medical certificate

    ˈmɛdɪkəl sərˈtɪfɪkət

    Usage

    Ask for the document an insurer or airline needs; in the US it is often called a "doctor's note"

  39. Hospital admission

    ˈhɑːspɪtəl ədˈmɪʃən

    Usage

    Use when asking whether you must stay; as a verb English says "be admitted to hospital"

  40. Chills

    tʃɪlz

    Usage

    The shivering that comes with a fever; as a symptom English uses the plural

  41. It hurts here.

    ɪt hɜːrts hɪr

    It hurts here

    Usage

    Show this while pointing at the spot — it works without knowing the body part's name

    Grammar Note

    "Here" is the word of "Can I store my luggage here?". The subject "It" stands vaguely for the spot; if you can name the part, swap it in — "My knee hurts."

  42. My body feels sluggish.

    maɪ ˈbɑːdi fiːlz ˈslʌɡɪʃ

    My body feels sluggish

    Usage

    Describe an all-over heaviness and lack of energy to a doctor

    Grammar Note

    "Body" comes from "I'd like a full-body massage." and "feels" from "That feels great!". "Feel" in this sense is a stative verb, so the simple present ("feels") is the usual form. The progressive ("is feeling") is also possible for a temporary state, but the simple present is the natural choice here

  43. I have vomited several times.

    aɪ hæv ˈvɑːmɪtɪd ˈsɛvrəl taɪmz

    I have vomited several times

    Usage

    Tell a doctor how often you have vomited — it guides the check for dehydration

    Grammar Note

    The "I have + past participle" present perfect uses the same subject-plus-have opening as "I have a headache." and counts episodes that still matter now. "Several" is the word of "Can you give me a discount if I buy several?". Everyday speech also says "I've been sick several times.", but "sick" means different things in British and American English, so "vomit" is the safer word with medical staff

  44. Do I need to rest?

    duː aɪ niːd tuː rɛst

    Usage

    Ask the doctor after an examination whether you must rest

    Grammar Note

    The frame of "Do I need to make an appointment?" with "rest" from "I'm tired — let's rest for a moment.". To ask specifically about staying in bed, say "Do I need bed rest?"

  45. Diarrhea

    ˌdaɪəˈriːə

    Usage

    Show it to a pharmacist or doctor to name the symptom. British and Australian spelling is "diarrhoea" (same pronunciation)

  46. Poop

    puːp

    Usage

    An everyday word with children and family. With medical staff "stool" is the clinical term; "poop" is understood too, especially for a child's symptoms

  47. Pee

    piː

    Usage

    An everyday word with children and family. With medical staff "urine" is the clinical term; "pee" is understood too

  48. I have diarrhea.

    aɪ hæv ˌdaɪəˈriːə

    I have diarrhea

    Usage

    Tell a doctor or pharmacist about the symptom; follow it with how many days it has lasted

    Grammar Note

    The same "I have + symptom" frame as "I have a headache.". Unlike "headache", "diarrhea" is uncountable, so there is no "a". British and Australian spelling is "diarrhoea"

  49. I'm constipated.

    aɪm ˈkɑːnstɪpeɪtɪd

    I'm constipated

    Usage

    Tell a doctor or pharmacist; follow it with how many days it has been since you last went

    Grammar Note

    The noun "Constipation" turned into the adjective "constipated" after "I'm". "I have constipation." is possible, but "I'm constipated." sounds more natural

  50. I need to pee.

    aɪ niːd tuː piː

    I need to pee

    Usage

    The ordinary way to tell a companion or a child you need to go. To a stranger such as a shop assistant, "Where is the toilet?" is more polite

    Grammar Note

    The same "I need to + verb" frame as "I need to see a doctor.". "Pee" is both a noun and a verb

  51. I need to poop.

    aɪ niːd tuː puːp

    I need to poop

    Usage

    The ordinary way to tell a companion or a child you need to go. To a stranger such as a shop assistant, "Where is the toilet?" is more polite

    Grammar Note

    The same frame as "I need to pee." with only the verb changed to "poop". "Poop" is both a noun and a verb

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