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Arabic at the Doctor: Essential Medical Words and Phrases
Visiting a doctor in an Arabic-speaking country can be easier when you know some essential medical words and phrases. Whether you are traveling, living abroad, or communicating with Arabic-speaking patients, basic medical Arabic helps you explain symptoms, understand questions, describe pain, and follow medical instructions.
Learning Arabic at the doctor does not require mastering complicated medical terminology. Beginners can start with common words related to the body, symptoms, appointments, medicine, and treatment.
In this guide, you will learn essential Arabic medical vocabulary, useful expressions for visiting a doctor, and practical dialogues for common healthcare situations.
Medical Arabic includes many everyday words related to people, places, the body, and common situations. If you are building your Arabic vocabulary from the beginning, our Arabic Vocabulary for Beginners guide can help you learn essential words and expressions step by step.
1. Basic Medical Vocabulary in Arabic
Begin with these common words related to doctors and healthcare.
English | Arabic | Pronunciation |
Doctor | طَبِيبٌ | ṭabīb |
Female doctor | طَبِيبَةٌ | ṭabībah |
Patient | مَرِيضٌ | marīḍ |
Female patient | مَرِيضَةٌ | marīḍah |
Hospital | مُسْتَشْفًى | mustashfan |
Clinic | عِيَادَةٌ | ʿiyādah |
Medical center | مَرْكَزٌ طِبِّيٌّ | markaz ṭibbī |
Nurse | مُمَرِّضٌ / مُمَرِّضَةٌ | mumarriḍ / mumarriḍah |
Appointment | مَوْعِدٌ | mawʿid |
Examination | فَحْصٌ | faḥṣ |
Medical examination | فَحْصٌ طِبِّيٌّ | faḥṣ ṭibbī |
Diagnosis | تَشْخِيصٌ | tashkhīṣ |
Treatment | عِلَاجٌ | ʿilāj |
Medicine | دَوَاءٌ | dawāʾ |
Prescription | وَصْفَةٌ طِبِّيَّةٌ | waṣfah ṭibbiyyah |
Pharmacy | صَيْدَلِيَّةٌ | ṣaydaliyyah |
Emergency | طَوَارِئُ | ṭawāriʾ |
Health | صِحَّةٌ | ṣiḥḥah |
Illness | مَرَضٌ | maraḍ |
Disease | مَرَضٌ | maraḍ |
Pain | أَلَمٌ | alam |
Symptom | عَرَضٌ | ʿaraḍ |
Fever | حُمَّى | ḥummā |
Infection | عَدْوَى | ʿadwā |
Allergy | حَسَاسِيَّةٌ | ḥasāsiyyah |
Example Sentences
أَنَا مَرِيضٌ.
I am sick. — Male speaker
أَنَا مَرِيضَةٌ.
I am sick. — Female speaker
عِنْدِي مَوْعِدٌ مَعَ الطَّبِيبِ.
I have an appointment with the doctor.
أَحْتَاجُ إِلَى فَحْصٍ طِبِّيٍّ.
I need a medical examination.
short sentences to expressing more detailed ideas in Arabic.
Many medical terms are nouns, and learners often need adjectives to describe people, symptoms, and medical conditions. Understanding how Arabic nouns and adjectives work together can help you form clearer sentences. Explore our Arabic Nouns and Adjectives guide for more practice.
2. Parts of the Body in Arabic
Knowing body-part vocabulary helps you explain where you feel pain or discomfort.
English | Arabic | Pronunciation |
Body | جِسْمٌ | jism |
Head | رَأْسٌ | raʾs |
Face | وَجْهٌ | wajh |
Eye | عَيْنٌ | ʿayn |
Ear | أُذُنٌ | udhun |
Nose | أَنْفٌ | anf |
Mouth | فَمٌ | fam |
Tooth | سِنٌّ | sinn |
Throat | حَلْقٌ | ḥalq |
Neck | رَقَبَةٌ | raqabah |
Shoulder | كَتِفٌ | katif |
Arm | ذِرَاعٌ | dhirāʿ |
Hand | يَدٌ | yad |
Finger | إِصْبَعٌ | iṣbaʿ |
Chest | صَدْرٌ | ṣadr |
Heart | قَلْبٌ | qalb |
Stomach | مَعِدَةٌ | miʿdah |
Abdomen | بَطْنٌ | baṭn |
Back | ظَهْرٌ | ẓahr |
Leg | سَاقٌ | sāq |
Knee | رُكْبَةٌ | rukbah |
Foot | قَدَمٌ | qadam |
Skin | جِلْدٌ | jild |
Blood | دَمٌ | damm |
Example Sentences
عِنْدِي أَلَمٌ فِي رَأْسِي.
I have a headache.
يُؤْلِمُنِي ظَهْرِي.
My back hurts.
عِنْدِي أَلَمٌ فِي مَعِدَتِي.
I have stomach pain.
عَيْنِي تُؤْلِمُنِي.
My eye hurts.
3. Describing Common Symptoms in Arabic
Symptoms are among the most important things to learn when visiting a doctor.
English | Arabic | Pronunciation |
Headache | صُدَاعٌ | ṣudāʿ |
Stomachache | أَلَمُ الْمَعِدَةِ | alam al-miʿdah |
Back pain | أَلَمُ الظَّهْرِ | alam aẓ-ẓahr |
Sore throat | أَلَمٌ فِي الْحَلْقِ | alam fī al-ḥalq |
Cough | سُعَالٌ | suʿāl |
Cold | زُكَامٌ | zukām |
Flu | إِنْفِلُونْزَا | inflūnzā |
Fever | حُمَّى | ḥummā |
Dizziness | دُوَارٌ | duwār |
Nausea | غَثَيَانٌ | ghathayān |
Vomiting | قَيْءٌ | qayʾ |
Diarrhea | إِسْهَالٌ | is hāl |
Constipation | إِمْسَاكٌ | imsāk |
Tiredness | تَعَبٌ | taʿab |
Weakness | ضَعْفٌ | ḍaʿf |
Shortness of breath | ضِيقٌ فِي التَّنَفُّسِ | ḍīq fī at-tanaffus |
Difficulty breathing | صُعُوبَةٌ فِي التَّنَفُّسِ | ṣuʿūbah fī at-tanaffus |
Chest pain | أَلَمٌ فِي الصَّدْرِ | alam fī aṣ-ṣadr |
Swelling | تَوَرُّمٌ | tawarrum |
Rash | طَفَحٌ جِلْدِيٌّ | ṭafaḥ jildī |
Itching | حَكَّةٌ | ḥikkah |
Allergy | حَسَاسِيَّةٌ | ḥasāsiyyah |
Injury | إِصَابَةٌ | iṣābah |
Wound | جُرْحٌ | jurḥ |
Burn | حَرْقٌ | ḥarq |
Useful Sentences
عِنْدِي حُمَّى.
I have a fever.
عِنْدِي سُعَالٌ شَدِيدٌ.
I have a severe cough.
أَشْعُرُ بِالدُّوَارِ.
I feel dizzy.
أَشْعُرُ بِالْغَثَيَانِ.
I feel nauseated.
أُعَانِي مِنْ أَلَمٍ فِي الصَّدْرِ.
I suffer from chest pain.
عِنْدِي صُعُوبَةٌ فِي التَّنَفُّسِ.
I have difficulty breathing.
Important: Severe chest pain, serious breathing difficulty, loss of consciousness, or other life-threatening symptoms require immediate emergency medical care.
Health and medical situations are an important part of everyday communication. If you want to learn more practical Arabic expressions for common situations outside the doctor’s office, explore our Arabic for Daily Life guide.
4. How to Say “I Have...” in Arabic
One of the most useful structures in medical Arabic is:
عِنْدِي …
I have …
You can use it to describe symptoms and health problems.
Examples
عِنْدِي صُدَاعٌ.
I have a headache.
عِنْدِي حُمَّى.
I have a fever.
عِنْدِي أَلَمٌ فِي الْحَلْقِ.
I have a sore throat.
عِنْدِي حَسَاسِيَّةٌ.
I have an allergy.
عِنْدِي أَلَمٌ فِي رُكْبَتِي.
I have pain in my knee.
عِنْدِي مُشْكِلَةٌ فِي التَّنَفُّسِ.
I have a breathing problem.
Another useful structure is:
أَشْعُرُ بِـ…
I feel…
أَشْعُرُ بِالتَّعَبِ.
I feel tired.
أَشْعُرُ بِالدُّوَارِ.
I feel dizzy.
أَشْعُرُ بِأَلَمٍ فِي بَطْنِي.
I feel pain in my abdomen.
These useful sentence patterns show how Arabic grammar helps learners express symptoms and describe how they feel. To develop a stronger understanding of Arabic sentence structure and grammatical patterns, explore our Arabic Grammar Course.
5. Describing Pain in Arabic
Doctors may ask you about the location, intensity, and duration of your pain.
Pain Vocabulary
English | Arabic |
Pain | أَلَمٌ |
Mild | خَفِيفٌ |
Moderate | مُتَوَسِّطٌ |
Severe | شَدِيدٌ |
Constant | مُسْتَمِرٌّ |
Occasional | مُتَقَطِّعٌ |
Sudden | مُفَاجِئٌ |
Sharp | حَادٌّ |
Dull | خَافِتٌ |
Burning | حَارِقٌ |
Painful | مُؤْلِمٌ |
It hurts | يُؤْلِمُ |
Useful Questions from the Doctor
أَيْنَ يَؤْلِمُكَ؟
Where does it hurt? — To a male
أَيْنَ يُؤْلِمُكِ؟
Where does it hurt? — To a female
مُنْذُ مَتَى وَأَنْتَ تَشْعُرُ بِالأَلَمِ؟
How long have you been feeling the pain? — To a male
مُنْذُ مَتَى وَأَنْتِ تَشْعُرِينَ بِالأَلَمِ؟
How long have you been feeling the pain? — To a female
هَلِ الأَلَمُ شَدِيدٌ؟
Is the pain severe?
هَلِ الأَلَمُ مُسْتَمِرٌّ؟
Is the pain constant?
هَلْ يَزْدَادُ الأَلَمُ؟
Is the pain getting worse?
هَلْ يَنْتَقِلُ الأَلَمُ إِلَى مَكَانٍ آخَرَ؟
Does the pain spread to another area?
Useful Answers
الأَلَمُ خَفِيفٌ.
The pain is mild.
الأَلَمُ شَدِيدٌ جِدًّا.
The pain is very severe.
الأَلَمُ مُسْتَمِرٌّ.
The pain is constant.
بَدَأَ الأَلَمُ مُنْذُ يَوْمَيْنِ.
The pain started two days ago.
يَزْدَادُ الأَلَمُ لَيْلًا.
The pain gets worse at night.
يَظْهَرُ الأَلَمُ عِنْدَ الْمَشْيِ.
The pain appears when walking.
Learning these questions and answers is more useful when you practise them as real conversations. Our Arabic Conversation for Beginners guide provides practical dialogues and everyday expressions that can help you become more comfortable speaking Arabic.
6. Talking About Medical History
A doctor may ask about previous illnesses, surgeries, allergies, and medications.
Medical History Vocabulary
| English | Arabic |
|---|---|
| Medical history | تَارِيخٌ مَرَضِيٌّ |
| Previous illness | مَرَضٌ سَابِقٌ |
| Surgery | عَمَلِيَّةٌ جِرَاحِيَّةٌ |
| Operation | عَمَلِيَّةٌ |
| Chronic disease | مَرَضٌ مُزْمِنٌ |
| Diabetes | مَرَضُ السُّكَّرِيِّ |
| High blood pressure | ارْتِفَاعُ ضَغْطِ الدَّمِ |
| Heart disease | مَرَضُ الْقَلْبِ |
| Asthma | الرَّبْوُ |
| Allergy | حَسَاسِيَّةٌ |
| Medication | دَوَاءٌ |
| Dose | جُرْعَةٌ |
| Tablet | قُرْصٌ |
| Injection | حُقْنَةٌ |
| Medical report | تَقْرِيرٌ طِبِّيٌّ |
| Blood test | تَحْلِيلُ الدَّمِ |
| X-ray | أَشِعَّةٌ سِينِيَّةٌ |
| Scan | تَصْوِيرٌ طِبِّيٌّ |
| Test result | نَتِيجَةُ الْفَحْصِ |
Useful Questions
هَلْ عِنْدَكَ أَيُّ أَمْرَاضٍ مُزْمِنَةٍ؟
Do you have any chronic diseases? — To a male
هَلْ عِنْدَكِ أَيُّ أَمْرَاضٍ مُزْمِنَةٍ؟
Do you have any chronic diseases? — To a female
هَلْ تَتَنَاوَلُ أَيَّ أَدْوِيَةٍ؟
Are you taking any medications? — To a male
هَلْ تَتَنَاوَلِينَ أَيَّ أَدْوِيَةٍ؟
Are you taking any medications? — To a female
هَلْ عِنْدَكَ حَسَاسِيَّةٌ مِنْ أَيِّ دَوَاءٍ؟
Are you allergic to any medication?
هَلْ أَجْرَيْتَ عَمَلِيَّةً جِرَاحِيَّةً مِنْ قَبْلُ؟
Have you had surgery before? — To a male
Useful Answers
نَعَمْ، عِنْدِي مَرَضُ السُّكَّرِيِّ.
Yes, I have diabetes.
أَتَنَاوَلُ دَوَاءً لِضَغْطِ الدَّمِ.
I take medication for blood pressure.
لَا عِنْدِي أَيُّ حَسَاسِيَّةٍ مَعْرُوفَةٍ.
I do not have any known allergies.
أَجْرَيْتُ عَمَلِيَّةً جِرَاحِيَّةً الْعَامَ الْمَاضِيَ.
I had surgery last year.
7. Talking About Medication
Understanding medication instructions is very important.
Medication Vocabulary
English | Arabic |
Medicine | دَوَاءٌ |
Prescription | وَصْفَةٌ طِبِّيَّةٌ |
Tablet | قُرْصٌ |
Capsule | كَبسُولَةٌ |
Syrup | شَرَابٌ |
Cream | كَرِيمٌ |
Ointment | مَرْهَمٌ |
Drops | قَطْرَةٌ |
Injection | حُقْنَةٌ |
Dose | جُرْعَةٌ |
Treatment | عِلَاجٌ |
Before meals | قَبْلَ الطَّعَامِ |
After meals | بَعْدَ الطَّعَامِ |
Once a day | مَرَّةً وَاحِدَةً فِي الْيَوْمِ |
Twice a day | مَرَّتَيْنِ فِي الْيَوْمِ |
Three times a day | ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ فِي الْيَوْمِ |
Every eight hours | كُلَّ ثَمَانِي سَاعَاتٍ |
At bedtime | قَبْلَ النَّوْمِ |
Side effects | آثَارٌ جَانِبِيَّةٌ |
Useful Questions
كَيْفَ أَسْتَخْدِمُ هَذَا الدَّوَاءَ؟
How do I use this medicine?
كَمْ جُرْعَةً أَتَنَاوَلُ؟
What dose should I take?
كَمْ مَرَّةً أَتَنَاوَلُ الدَّوَاءَ فِي الْيَوْمِ؟
How many times a day should I take the medicine?
هَلْ أَتَنَاوَلُ الدَّوَاءَ قَبْلَ الطَّعَامِ أَمْ بَعْدَهُ؟
Should I take the medicine before or after food?
هَلْ لِلدَّوَاءِ آثَارٌ جَانِبِيَّةٌ؟
Does the medicine have side effects?
مَتَى أَتَوَقَّفُ عَنِ اسْتِخْدَامِ الدَّوَاءِ؟
When should I stop using the medicine?
Useful Instructions
تَنَاوَلْ قُرْصًا وَاحِدًا بَعْدَ الطَّعَامِ.
Take one tablet after food.
اِسْتَخْدِمِ الْكَرِيمَ مَرَّتَيْنِ فِي الْيَوْمِ.
Use the cream twice a day.
اِشْرَبْ كَمِّيَّةً كَافِيَةً مِنَ الْمَاءِ.
Drink enough water.
اِرْتَحْ وَاشْرَبْ السَّوَائِلَ.
Rest and drink fluids.
Medical Arabic also introduces learners to more formal vocabulary used in healthcare and professional communication. For learners who want to develop broader formal Arabic skills, our Modern Standard Arabic Course provides structured practice in vocabulary, grammar, reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
8. Making a Doctor’s Appointment
Before visiting a doctor, you may need to make an appointment.
Useful Vocabulary
English | Arabic |
Appointment | مَوْعِدٌ |
Available | مُتَاحٌ |
Today | الْيَوْمَ |
Tomorrow | غَدًا |
Morning | صَبَاحًا |
Afternoon | بَعْدَ الظُّهْرِ |
Evening | مَسَاءً |
Specialist | طَبِيبٌ مُخْتَصٌّ |
General practitioner | طَبِيبٌ عَامٌّ |
Cancel | يُلْغِي |
Reschedule | يُعِيدُ تَحْدِيدَ الْمَوْعِدِ |
Useful Phrases
أُرِيدُ حَجْزَ مَوْعِدٍ مَعَ الطَّبِيبِ.
I would like to make an appointment with the doctor.
هَلْ يُوجَدُ مَوْعِدٌ مُتَاحٌ الْيَوْمَ؟
Is there an appointment available today?
هَلْ يُمْكِنُنِي حَجْزُ مَوْعِدٍ غَدًا؟
Can I book an appointment tomorrow?
أُفَضِّلُ مَوْعِدًا فِي الصَّبَاحِ.
I prefer a morning appointment.
أُرِيدُ مَوْعِدًا مَعَ طَبِيبِ الْأَطْفَالِ.
I would like an appointment with a pediatrician.
أُرِيدُ مَوْعِدًا مَعَ طَبِيبِ الْجِلْدِيَّةِ.
I would like an appointment with a dermatologist.
أُرِيدُ إِلْغَاءَ مَوْعِدِي.
I would like to cancel my appointment.
Knowing how to make appointments and communicate in practical situations is especially useful when you are traveling in an Arabic-speaking country. For more useful language for airports, hotels, transportation, and other travel situations, explore our Arabic for Travel guide.
أُرِيدُ تَغْيِيرَ مَوْعِدِي.
I would like to change my appointment.
9. A Practical Dialogue at the Doctor’s Office
Describing Symptoms
الطَّبِيبُ: مَا الَّذِي يُؤْلِمُكَ؟
المَرِيضُ: عِنْدِي أَلَمٌ فِي رَأْسِي وَحُمَّى.
الطَّبِيبُ: مُنْذُ مَتَى بَدَأَتْ هَذِهِ الأَعْرَاضُ؟
المَرِيضُ: بَدَأَتْ مُنْذُ يَوْمَيْنِ.
الطَّبِيبُ: هَلْ عِنْدَكَ سُعَالٌ أَوْ أَلَمٌ فِي الْحَلْقِ؟
المَرِيضُ: نَعَمْ، عِنْدِي سُعَالٌ خَفِيفٌ.
الطَّبِيبُ: هَلْ تَتَنَاوَلُ أَيَّ أَدْوِيَةٍ؟
المَرِيضُ: لَا، لَا أَتَنَاوَلُ أَيَّ دَوَاءٍ حَالِيًّا.
الطَّبِيبُ: سَأَفْحَصُكَ، ثُمَّ أَكْتُبُ لَكَ وَصْفَةً طِبِّيَّةً.
المَرِيضُ: شُكْرًا، دُكْتُورُ.
English Translation
Doctor: What hurts?
Patient: I have a headache and a fever.
Doctor: When did these symptoms start?
Patient: They started two days ago.
Doctor: Do you have a cough or a sore throat?
Patient: Yes, I have a mild cough.
Doctor: Are you taking any medications?
Patient: No, I am not taking any medicine currently.
Doctor: I will examine you, then I will write you a prescription.
Patient: Thank you, doctor.
10. A Dialogue at the Pharmacy
المَرِيضُ: السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ.
الصَّيْدَلِيُّ: وَعَلَيْكُمُ السَّلَامُ. كَيْفَ أُسَاعِدُكَ؟
المَرِيضُ: هَذِهِ وَصْفَةٌ طِبِّيَّةٌ مِنَ الطَّبِيبِ.
الصَّيْدَلِيُّ: حَسَنًا. هَذَا الدَّوَاءُ يُؤْخَذُ مَرَّتَيْنِ فِي الْيَوْمِ.
المَرِيضُ: هَلْ أَتَنَاوَلُهُ قَبْلَ الطَّعَامِ أَمْ بَعْدَهُ؟
الصَّيْدَلِيُّ: بَعْدَ الطَّعَامِ.
المَرِيضُ: هَلْ لَهُ أَيُّ آثَارٍ جَانِبِيَّةٍ؟
الصَّيْدَلِيُّ: قَدْ يُسَبِّبُ النُّعَاسَ، فَتَجَنَّبْ قِيَادَةَ السَّيَّارَةِ بَعْدَ تَنَاوُلِهِ.
المَرِيضُ: شُكْرًا جَزِيلًا.
English Translation
Patient: Hello.
Pharmacist: Hello. How can I help you?
Patient: This is a prescription from the doctor.
Pharmacist: All right. This medicine is taken twice a day.
Patient: Should I take it before or after food?
Pharmacist: After food.
Patient: Does it have any side effects?
Pharmacist: It may cause drowsiness, so avoid driving after taking it.
Patient: Thank you very much.
11. Emergency Medical Phrases
These phrases can be useful during urgent situations.
Arabic | English |
أَحْتَاجُ إِلَى مُسَاعَدَةٍ طِبِّيَّةٍ. | I need medical help. |
اِتَّصِلْ بِالإِسْعَافِ. | Call an ambulance. |
أَيْنَ أَقْرَبُ مُسْتَشْفًى؟ | Where is the nearest hospital? |
هَذِهِ حَالَةٌ طَارِئَةٌ. | This is an emergency. |
لَا أَسْتَطِيعُ التَّنَفُّسَ جَيِّدًا. | I cannot breathe well. |
عِنْدِي أَلَمٌ شَدِيدٌ فِي صَدْرِي. | I have severe chest pain. |
أُغْمِيَ عَلَيْهِ. | He fainted. |
أُغْمِيَ عَلَيْهَا. | She fainted. |
لَقَدْ أُصِبْتُ. | I have been injured. |
أَنَا أَشْعُرُ بِالدُّوَارِ. | I feel dizzy. |
هَلْ يُوجَدُ طَبِيبٌ هُنَا؟ | Is there a doctor here? |
أَيْنَ قِسْمُ الطَّوَارِئِ؟ | Where is the emergency department? |
12. Useful Questions the Doctor May Ask
Understanding the doctor’s questions is just as important as explaining your symptoms.
Arabic | English |
مَا الَّذِي يُؤْلِمُكَ؟ | What hurts? |
مَا أَعْرَاضُكَ؟ | What are your symptoms? |
مُنْذُ مَتَى وَأَنْتَ مَرِيضٌ؟ | How long have you been sick? |
هَلْ عِنْدَكَ حُمَّى؟ | Do you have a fever? |
هَلْ عِنْدَكَ سُعَالٌ؟ | Do you have a cough? |
هَلْ تَشْعُرُ بِالدُّوَارِ؟ | Do you feel dizzy? |
هَلْ تَتَنَاوَلُ أَدْوِيَةً؟ | Are you taking medication? |
هَلْ عِنْدَكَ حَسَاسِيَّةٌ؟ | Do you have an allergy? |
هَلْ أَجْرَيْتَ عَمَلِيَّةً مِنْ قَبْلُ؟ | Have you had surgery before? |
هَلْ تَدَخَّنُ؟ | Do you smoke? |
هَلْ تَشْرَبُ الْكُحُولَ؟ | Do you drink alcohol? |
هَلْ نِمْتَ جَيِّدًا؟ | Did you sleep well? |
هَلْ تَشْعُرُ بِالتَّحَسُّنِ؟ | Do you feel better? |
13. Tips for Learning Arabic for Medical Situations
1. Learn the Most Important Symptoms First
Begin with words such as:
- صُدَاعٌ — headache
- حُمَّى — fever
- سُعَالٌ — cough
- أَلَمٌ — pain
- دُوَارٌ — dizziness
- غَثَيَانٌ — nausea
- حَسَاسِيَّةٌ — allergy
2. Practice Complete Sentences
Memorize useful phrases instead of individual words only:
عِنْدِي أَلَمٌ فِي بَطْنِي.
I have abdominal pain.
أَشْعُرُ بِالدُّوَارِ.
I feel dizzy.
3. Learn the Names of Body Parts
Knowing body-part vocabulary allows you to describe the exact location of pain.
4. Keep a Medical Vocabulary List
Create a personal list containing:
- Medical conditions
- Current medications
- Allergies
- Previous surgeries
- Important medical terms
5. Practice Listening to Doctor-Patient Dialogues
Listen for questions such as:
مَا الَّذِي يُؤْلِمُكَ؟
What hurts?
مُنْذُ مَتَى؟
Since when?
هَلْ تَتَنَاوَلُ أَيَّ أَدْوِيَةٍ؟
Are you taking any medications?
6. Ask for Clarification
If you do not understand a medical instruction, you can say:
مِنْ فَضْلِكَ، هَلْ يُمْكِنُكَ أَنْ تَشْرَحَ ذَلِكَ؟
Please, can you explain that?
هَلْ يُمْكِنُكَ أَنْ تَتَكَلَّمَ بِبُطْءٍ؟
Can you speak slowly?
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I say “I need a doctor” in Arabic?
أَحْتَاجُ إِلَى طَبِيبٍ.
I need a doctor.
If you are just starting to learn Arabic, our Arabic for Beginners course can help you build a foundation in vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, reading, writing, and basic communication before moving to more specialized topics such as medical Arabic.
How do I say “I have a headache” in Arabic?
عِنْدِي صُدَاعٌ.
I have a headache.
How do I ask “Where is the nearest hospital?” in Arabic?
أَيْنَ أَقْرَبُ مُسْتَشْفًى؟
Where is the nearest hospital?
How do I say “I have a fever” in Arabic?
عِنْدِي حُمَّى.
I have a fever.
How do I ask about the dosage of medicine?
كَمْ جُرْعَةً أَتَنَاوَلُ؟
What dose should I take?
What is the most useful Arabic phrase at the doctor?
One of the most useful phrases is:
عِنْدِي أَلَمٌ فِي …
I have pain in …
You can complete it with a body part, such as:
عِنْدِي أَلَمٌ فِي رَأْسِي.
I have a headache.
Conclusion
Learning Arabic at the doctor can help travelers, students, healthcare workers, and Arabic learners communicate more effectively in medical situations. By studying vocabulary related to symptoms, body parts, appointments, medication, and treatment, you can describe health concerns and understand basic medical questions more confidently.
Start with simple structures such as عِنْدِي… — I have — and أَشْعُرُ بِـ… — I feel — then practice short doctor-patient dialogues. Regular practice will help you use Arabic more comfortably when discussing health and seeking medical assistance.
Medical Arabic is one practical area of Arabic learning, but developing broader communication skills can help you use the language in many different situations. Explore our Arabic courses online to continue building your Arabic vocabulary, grammar, speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills.