A medical situation is easier when you can explain the basics clearly. Learn 11 useful hospital words and the sentence patterns needed to describe symptoms and ask for help.
11 hospital words to know
Spanish
Ambulancia
English
Ambulance
Spanish
Sangre
English
Blood
Spanish
Tos
English
Cough
Spanish
Doctor
English
Doctor
Spanish
Emergencia
English
Emergency
Spanish
Fiebre
English
Fever
Spanish
Enfermero
English
Nurse
Spanish
Dolor
English
Pain
Spanish
Paciente
English
Patient
Spanish
Descansar
English
Rest
Spanish
Enfermo
English
Sick
Hospital words in context
See how each word works in a natural Spanish sentence.
La ambulancia llegó en pocos minutos.The ambulance arrived in a few minutes.
La enfermera necesita una muestra de sangre.The nurse needs a blood sample.
Tengo tos desde hace tres días.I've had a cough for three days.
El doctor me hará unas preguntas.The doctor is going to ask me some questions.
Esto es una emergencia y necesitamos ayuda.This is an emergency and we need help.
El niño tiene fiebre esta noche.The child has a fever tonight.
El enfermero controla la temperatura del paciente.The nurse checks the patient's temperature.
Siento un dolor fuerte en el pecho.I feel a sharp pain in my chest.
El paciente espera los resultados del análisis.The patient is waiting for the test results.
El médico dice que debo descansar.The doctor says I need to rest.
Me siento enfermo desde ayer.I've felt ill since yesterday.
Explaining symptoms and asking for help
Use these short patterns to say what hurts, report a symptom and understand the next step.
Me duele…
My … hurts
Me duele mucho la cabeza.My head hurts a lot.
Tengo…
I have…
Tengo fiebre y tos.I have a fever and a cough.
Me siento…
I feel…
Me siento enferma y débil.I feel ill and weak.
Desde hace…
For the last…
Tengo dolor desde hace dos días.I've been in pain for two days.
¿Dónde está urgencias?
Where is the emergency department?
Disculpe, ¿dónde está urgencias?Excuse me, where is the emergency department?
A short conversation at the hospital
EnfermeraBuenos días. ¿Qué le pasa?Good morning. What's wrong?
PacienteTengo fiebre y una tos muy fuerte.I have a fever and a very bad cough.
Enfermera¿Desde cuándo se siente enfermo?How long have you felt ill?
PacienteDesde ayer, y ahora siento dolor en el pecho.Since yesterday, and now I feel pain in my chest.
EnfermeraEl doctor lo verá enseguida.The doctor will see you right away.
PacienteGracias. ¿Necesito un análisis de sangre?Thank you. Do I need a blood test?
EnfermeraEl doctor decidirá después de examinarlo.The doctor will decide after examining you.
Try one in the VocabTally quiz
Choose the English meaning, just as you would while practising in the app.
00
What does this mean in English?
Fiebre
Ready to remember all 11?
Open the Hospital deck and start with the first card. No account needed.