Doctors, Dentists & Pharmacies (Junior Cert German): Revision Notes
Doctors, Dentists & Pharmacies
Learning to talk about health issues in German is essential for everyday communication. This guide covers the key vocabulary and phrases you'll need when visiting healthcare professionals in German-speaking countries.
At the pharmacy (In der Apotheke)
The pharmacy is often your first stop for minor health concerns. German pharmacies are well-stocked and pharmacists are highly trained to help with common ailments. Unlike in some countries, German pharmacists can provide detailed medical advice and recommend treatments for minor conditions.
Essential pharmacy vocabulary
| German | English | Pronunciation tip |
|---|---|---|
| die Apotheke | pharmacy | ah-po-TAY-keh |
| die Notapotheke | duty chemist | note-ah-po-TAY-keh |
| das Rezept | prescription | reh-TSEPT |
| das Antiseptikum | antiseptic | anti-SEP-ti-koom |
| das Aspirin | aspirin | ah-spi-REEN |
| die Erkältung | cold | er-KEL-toong |
| das Pflaster | plaster | PFLAS-ter |
| die Zahnpasta | toothpaste | TSAHN-pas-ta |
Common health problems
| German | English | Pronunciation tip |
|---|---|---|
| Kopfschmerzen | headache | KOPF-shmer-tsen |
| Reisekrankheit | travel sickness | RYE-zeh-krank-hyte |
| Durchfall | diarrhoea | DOORKH-fal |
| die Halsschmerzen | sore throat | hals-SHMER-tsen |
| die Erkältung | cold | er-KEL-toong |
When you're feeling unwell, you can say "Ich fühle mich nicht wohl" (I don't feel well). To ask for help with a specific problem, use "Haben Sie etwas gegen...?" (Have you something for...?).
Pharmacy Conversation Example
You: Guten Tag, ich fühle mich nicht wohl. (Good day, I don't feel well.)
Pharmacist: Was fehlt Ihnen denn? (What's wrong with you?)
You: Haben Sie etwas gegen Kopfschmerzen? (Have you something for headaches?)
Pharmacist: Ja, ich empfehle Ihnen diese Tabletten. Dreimal täglich vor dem Essen. (Yes, I recommend these tablets. Three times a day before meals.)
Example sentences at the pharmacy
- Ich fühle mich nicht wohl. (I don't feel well.)
- Haben Sie etwas gegen Kopfschmerzen? (Have you something for headaches?)
- Ich habe einen Ausschlag. (I have a rash.)
- Ich brauche etwas gegen Durchfall. (I need something for diarrhoea.)
You might hear the pharmacist say: "Dreimal täglich vor dem Essen" (Three times a day before meals) when explaining how to take medication.
At the doctor's surgery (Beim Arzt)
When pharmacy remedies aren't enough, you'll need to visit a doctor. Making an appointment and communicating your symptoms clearly is crucial for receiving proper medical care.
In Germany, you typically need to make an appointment (einen Termin machen) before visiting a doctor's surgery. Emergency cases should go directly to the hospital's emergency department (Notaufnahme).
Medical facilities vocabulary
| German | English |
|---|---|
| das Krankenhaus | hospital |
| die Ambulanz | out-patients |
| die Sprechstunden | surgery hours |
| der Arzt | doctor |
| die Versicherung | insurance |
Describing medical conditions
When speaking to a doctor, you'll need to explain your symptoms and medical history clearly. Being precise about your condition helps ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.
Basic phrases:
- Ich brauche einen Arzt. (I need a doctor.)
- Ich habe Zucker. (I'm diabetic.) - literally "I have sugar"
- Ich bin schwanger. (I'm pregnant.)
- Ich nehme die Pille. (I'm on the pill.)
- Ich bin allergisch gegen Penizillin. (I'm allergic to penicillin.)
Doctor's Surgery Dialogue
Patient: Mein Sohn ist krank. (My son is ill.)
Doctor: Hat er Fieber? (Does he have a temperature?)
Patient: Nein, er hat Magenschmerzen. (No, he has stomach pain.)
Doctor: Er muss ins Krankenhaus. (He will have to go to hospital.)
Administrative questions
Understanding the practical aspects of medical visits is just as important as describing symptoms:
- Muss ich gleich bezahlen? (Will I have to pay now?)
- Was wird es kosten? (How much will it cost?)
- Ich brauche eine Quittung für meine Versicherung. (I need a receipt for my insurance.)
You may also hear: "Ich muss Sie röntgen" (I'll have to do an X-ray).
At the dentist's (Beim Zahnarzt)
Dental visits require specific vocabulary for treatments and procedures. German dental care is typically of high quality, but communication about procedures and pain levels is essential.
Dental vocabulary
| German | English |
|---|---|
| der Zahnarzt | dentist |
| die Füllung | filling |
| die Krone | crown |
| die Prothese | dentures |
| Zahnschmerzen | toothache |
Common dental phrases
- Ich brauche einen Zahnarzt. (I need a dentist.)
- Er hat Zahnschmerzen. (He has toothache.)
- Können Sie mir eine provisorische Füllung machen? (Can you do a temporary filling?)
- Ich glaube, ich habe einen Abszess. (I think I have an abscess.)
- Das tut weh. (It hurts.)
Requesting treatment
- Können Sie mir etwas gegen die Schmerzen geben? (Can you give me something for the pain?)
- Können Sie meine Prothese reparieren? (Can you repair my dentures?)
You might hear the dentist say:
- Bitte weit aufmachen. (Please open wide.)
- Möchten Sie eine Spritze? (Do you want an injection?)
Translation practice
Translation Exercise
- Ich fühle mich nicht wohl.
- Haben Sie etwas gegen Kopfschmerzen?
- I need a dentist.
- Do I have to pay now?
Answers:
- I don't feel well.
- Have you something for headaches?
- Ich brauche einen Zahnarzt.
- Muss ich gleich bezahlen?
Common mistakes & tips
Common Mistake 1: Using "der Doktor" instead of "der Arzt"
While "Doktor" exists, "Arzt" is more commonly used for medical doctor.
Common Mistake 2: Forgetting articles with body parts
Always use the definite article: "die Kopfschmerzen" not just "Kopfschmerzen".
Common Mistake 3: Word order in questions
Remember: "Haben Sie etwas gegen...?" not "Sie haben etwas gegen...?"
Useful Tip: German medical terms often use compound words, so break them down:
- Zahnschmerzen = Zahn (tooth) + Schmerzen (pain)
- Kopfschmerzen = Kopf (head) + Schmerzen (pain)
Pronunciation tip: The "sch" sound in German (like "sh" in English) appears frequently in medical terms: Schmerzen, Spritze, schwanger.
Key Points to Remember:
- Use "Ich fühle mich nicht wohl" to say you don't feel well
- "Haben Sie etwas gegen...?" is the key phrase for asking for remedies at the pharmacy
- Always carry your insurance information when visiting healthcare professionals
- German compound words in medical vocabulary can be understood by breaking them into parts
- The formal "Sie" form is always used with healthcare professionals