Talking about Health in Spanish – Visit to the Doctor Vocabulary

In order to ask a person how he/she feels or is today, you simply greet them by saying ¿Cómo estás? or How are you?. In this case, in Spanish language there is an informal way to address the 2nd person singular, Tú/vos; and a formal way, usted. 

Another question people use regularly is ¿Cómo te sientes? which literally means How are you feeling?. The answer in the Spanish language can be confusing since you simply say No me siento bien or I don’t feel well. The verb siento also refers to the english verb to sit. But when talking about health, the infinitive form is sentir or to feel. 

Spanish speaking people tend to ask ¿Cómo te encuentras? which can literally be translated as How do you find yourself? Encontrar means to find. However, when talking about health No me encuentro bien means I don’t feel well. 

Parts of the body are important to tell your doctor where is an injury. Me duele is the way to start saying something hurts you. This construction refers to something that happens to you. Me duele el brazo or My arm hurts, you simply use the part of the body that hurts you. If both arms or legs hurt you, you simply use Me duelen los brazos/las piernas or My legs/arms hurt. The verb duele matches the 3rd person singular, duelen matches the 3rd person plural. 

In the case of estornudar and toser or sneeze and cough you simply say Estornudo mucho or I sneeze a lot; Toso mucho or I cough a lot. The verbs sangrar, picar and doler are used similarly. You simply say Me duele la garganta or My throat hurts, Me sangra la nariz or My nose bleeds. Me pica la mano or My hands itches. 

The verb to be in the Spanish language has two meanings: ser, estar. This can be confusing at first. You simply say Estoy estresado or I’m stressed. The verb estar is also used to say where a person is such as Estoy en el hospital or I’m in hospital

You simply say Tengo + un dolor or I have + a pain to talk about symptoms. Another alternative is to use Me duele + una parte del cuerpo or It hurts + part of the body. In the english language it's the other way round. 

When referring to part of the body you can use both expressions: Me duele el pie o Tengo dolor de pie which means My foot hurts or I have a pain in my foot. 

When tú estás en el hospital or you are in hospital, you simply go home with una receta or prescription  in order to start un tratamiento or a treatment. 

Depending on your symptoms you need to see a particular doctor. In the Spanish language there’s a distinction between female and male articles and nouns. If your doctor is a female you simply say La doctora. If the doctor is a male, you use El doctor.  This happens when referring to any health professional. 

Once you have learnt basic vocabulary about health, you are ready to hold a conversation to talk about the symptoms you have or what happened to you. 

Getting sick when in a Spanish speaking country can be an awful experience if you don’t know how to get the message across. Learning health related vocabulary at early stages can help you when you don’t feel well.