When you first arrive in Spain, getting sick can be the most daunting experience. It’s not about the cost, especially if you have a health insurance card, but the language barrier is a real nightmare! Trying to explain your symptoms to a doctor with hand gestures while they just look confused, and finally resorting to a translation app… it’s incredibly awkward.
I’ve recently compiled a list of various words and phrases you’ll need for medical situations in Spain, covering everything from making an appointment to getting your prescription filled. I’m sharing it in the hopes that it can help those in need, so you’ll never have to dread a trip to the hospital or pharmacy again! We recommend saving this for future reference!
Basic Medical Appointment Vocabulary
From making an appointment to seeing the doctor, you’ll need to master this set of vocabulary first.
- Appointment: Cita Previa
- Health Insurance Card: Tarjeta Sanitaria
- Emergency Room: Urgencias
- Family Doctor / GP: Médico de cabecera
- Specialist: Especialista
- Waiting Room: Sala de espera
- Prescription: Receta médica
- Sick Note: Baja médica
Describing Symptoms and Discomfort
This is the most crucial step in a doctor’s visit. Accurately telling the doctor what’s wrong directly affects the diagnosis. Remember these all-purpose phrases: Tengo… or Me duele… .
| English | Spanish |
|---|
| I have a headache | Me duele la cabeza |
| I have a fever | Tengo fiebre |
| I have a sore throat | Me duele la garganta |
| I have a cough | Tengo tos |
| I have an allergy | Tengo alergia |
| I feel dizzy | Estoy mareado/a |
| I feel nauseous | Tengo náuseas |
Common Department Names
When you go to a large hospital or a specialist clinic, knowing the names of the departments can save you a lot of time and trouble.
- General Practice / Internal Medicine: Medicina General / Medicina Interna
- Pediatrics: Pediatría
- Gynecology: Ginecología
- Dermatology: Dermatología
- Ophthalmology: Oftalmología
- Dentistry: Odontología / Dentista
- Orthopedics / Traumatology: Traumatología
Take your prescription to the pharmacy (farmacia). Pharmacies are easy to spot, as they usually have a large green cross sign outside. Just give the prescription to the pharmacist. This is where understanding your Spanish medical card can be important. If you need over-the-counter medicine, you can simply describe your symptoms, and they will recommend something. I hope this compilation is helpful! Feel free to add more useful vocabulary and share your own experiences below!
