For those new to Spain, getting sick can be one of the biggest fears. On top of feeling unwell, you have to navigate an unfamiliar healthcare system and a language barrier—it’s a double whammy. I remember my first time at the emergency room for a simple cold; I couldn’t even explain I had a ‘runny nose’ and was sweating from the stress. To help you avoid the same struggles, I’ve put together a super practical list of common Spanish vocabulary for hospitals. Be sure to save it for a rainy day!
Basic Visits and Appointments
The first step at a hospital is usually registering or going to the emergency room. You’ll need to present your health card. If you’re going for a routine appointment like [a medical check-up in Spain]
or seeing your family doctor, you’ll generally need to book in advance. Remembering these words will make communicating with the front desk a breeze.
- Cita previa: Appointment
- Recepción: Reception, front desk
- Sala de espera: Waiting room
- Consulta: Doctor’s office, consultation room
- Seguro médico: Health insurance
- Paciente: Patient
Common Medical Departments
Spanish hospitals have very specialized departments. Finding the right one can save you a lot of time. Here are some of the most common department names to help you find where you need to go.
| English | Spanish | Pronunciation Guide |
|---|
| General Practice / Family Doctor | Medicina General / de Familia | me-di-ci-na ge-ne-ral |
| Pediatrics | Pediatría | pe-dia-trí-a |
| Gynecology | Ginecología | gi-ne-co-lo-gí-a |
| Traumatology | Traumatología | trau-ma-to-lo-gí-a |
| Ophthalmology | Oftalmología | of-tal-mo-lo-gí-a |
| Dermatology | Dermatología | der-ma-to-lo-gí-a |
| Cardiology | Cardiología | car-dio-lo-gí-a |
| Emergency Room | Urgencias | ur-gen-cias |
Describing Your Symptoms
Once you see the doctor, the most crucial step is to accurately describe your symptoms. The doctor will most likely ask, “¿Qué le pasa?” (What’s wrong?). You can start your response with “Tengo…” (I have…) or “Me duele…” (My… hurts). For example: Tengo fiebre (I have a fever), Me duele la cabeza (I have a headache).
- Fiebre: Fever
- Tos: Cough
- Dolor de garganta: Sore throat
- Dolor de cabeza: Headache
- Mareo / Vértigo: Dizziness / Vertigo
- Náuseas / Vómitos: Nausea / Vomiting
- Diarrea: Diarrhea
- Alergia: Allergy
Tests and Treatment
After understanding your condition, which you might have explained after using a hospital appointment app, the doctor at, for instance, [a Spanish dermatology clinic], might schedule some tests. After the tests, you’ll either get a prescription or begin treatment. Pharmacies are marked with a green cross and are called Farmacia. Prescription drugs require a doctor’s prescription (receta) to be purchased. Hopefully, you’ll never need these words, but it’s always good to know them.
- Análisis de sangre: Blood test
- Radiografía: X-ray
- Ecografía: Ultrasound
- Tratamiento: Treatment
- Medicamento / Medicina: Medication / Medicine
- Pastilla: Pill, tablet
- Jarabe: Syrup
- Inyección: Injection, shot
I hope this guide helps everyone! When living in Spain, language is often the first hurdle, especially during critical moments like a doctor’s visit. Feel free to add more useful vocabulary in the comments and learn together! Wishing everyone good health, ¡Salud
!
