At the doctor and the pharmacy

Beim Arzt und in der Apotheke

Describe simple symptoms, ask for a doctor or pharmacy, and say how long the problem has lasted.

Start by saying how you feel or what hurts. “Ich habe …” introduces symptoms such as Kopfschmerzen, while “Mir ist schlecht” means you feel sick.

Ich bin krank.

I am ill.

Ich habe Kopfschmerzen.

I have a headache.

Ich habe Halsschmerzen.

I have a sore throat.

Ich habe Fieber.

I have a fever.

Mir ist schlecht.

I feel sick.

Ich brauche einen Arzt.

I need a doctor.

Wo ist die Apotheke?

Where is the pharmacy?

Seit gestern.

Since yesterday.

Use “Ich habe” with many symptoms, “Mir ist …” for a state such as feeling sick, and “seit” to say when it began.

These phrases help you give essential information at a clinic, pharmacy, or emergency desk.

Choose the person or place you actually need: “einen Arzt” is a doctor; “einen Bus” is transport.

Learn common symptom words as complete chunks: Ich habe Kopfschmerzen / Halsschmerzen / Fieber.

Tell a doctor two symptoms, ask where the pharmacy is, and answer “Seit gestern.”