Survival scene course
Health Chinese Phrases
Use these Chinese health phrases at pharmacies, clinics, hospitals, or when explaining simple symptoms.
These phrases are high priority because they help you ask for a doctor, medicine, rest, or urgent care.
Start with the phrases that matter first
Separate the request for care from the symptom description. Give your actual location and timing when asked, and seek professional clarification for instructions you do not understand.
In a real conversation
The symptom statement explains why help is needed. The reply concerns assistance; it is not a diagnosis or a treatment instruction.
wǒ tóu téng, hái fā shāo le.
I have a headache and a fever.
wǒ bāng nǐ zhǎo yī shēng.
I will help you find a doctor.
xiè xie.
Thank you.
How this scene usually goes
Getting medical help is easier when you can name the symptom and say when it started. For a non-urgent question about a medicine, a licensed pharmacy may be able to help; for assessment or treatment, contact a qualified clinician. At a hospital, staff may ask you to register (挂号), show an accepted identity document, and follow separate consultation, payment, and pharmacy steps. Procedures vary by hospital and urgency. Do not delay emergency care to finish registration or use this lesson. The phrases here are communication support, not diagnosis or treatment: begin with 我不舒服, explain the actual symptom, and ask for help understanding the reply.
Good to know
- In mainland China, 120 is the medical emergency number. 急诊 (jí zhěn) means emergency department. In urgent danger, seek immediate local help rather than relying on a learning tool.
- Bring the identity document and relevant health information requested by the hospital. Foreign patients are commonly asked for a passport; a phone photo may help explain your details but may not meet registration requirements.
- Show the exact medicine packaging or ingredient information to a qualified pharmacist or clinician. Do not assume similarly named products are equivalent or change treatment based only on a translation.
- Tell medical staff about your actual allergies early: 我对…过敏. Show the exact allergen or medicine name where possible. Learn the allergies relevant to you rather than memorizing a generic list.
Mainland China emergency number reference: Beijing government emergency guide. Language support only; seek professional help in an emergency.
Common mistakes
- Do not wait until you are sick to learn 医院, 医生, and 药.
- Do not describe symptoms with complicated grammar. Start with 我不舒服 or 我头疼.
- Do not rely on pronunciation guesses. Listen slowly before using health phrases.
Quick practice
- Save doctor, hospital, and medicine phrases.
- Say symptom phrases slowly.
- Practice saying I need a doctor without looking.
Related scenes
Health Chinese FAQ
How do I say I do not feel well?
Say 我不舒服.
How do I ask for a doctor?
Say 我需要医生.
Should health phrases be in a beginner list?
Yes. They are essential survival Chinese.
How do I say I need to rest?
Say 我需要休息 (wǒ xū yào xiū xi). At a hotel or homestay, people will understand immediately and leave you in peace.
How do I explain a medicine allergy?
Say 我对这种药过敏 (wǒ duì zhè zhǒng yào guò mǐn): I am allergic to this kind of medicine. Name the medicine if you can.
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Keep learning
Chinese Doctor and Health Phrases: Request care and ask for clarification without pretending to understand medical instructions.
How to Describe Symptoms in Chinese: Report location, start time, and recurrence as separate facts about your experience.
Say where it hurts
- 头疼
- Headache
- 肚子疼
- Stomach pain
Looking for a different word? Search the full practice library.