Essential Chinese for Medical Visits: Navigating Hospitals and Clinics in China

Experiencing health issues while traveling or living abroad can be stressful. In China, being able to communicate effectively with medical staff significantly improves your healthcare experience. While many larger hospitals in major cities have English-speaking staff or translation services, knowing some key Chinese phrases empowers you to navigate the system more independently and communicate your needs clearly, especially in smaller clinics or less international areas.

Step 1: Hospital Registration (挂号 – Guàhào)

The first step in most Chinese hospitals is registering for an appointment at a specific department.

• Finding the Registration Desk: Look for 挂号处 (Guàhào chù) or ask: 挂号处在哪里？(Guàhào chù zài nǎlǐ?) – “Where is the registration desk?”
• Registering for an Appointment:
  • 我要挂[Department]的号。(Wǒ yào guà [Department] de hào.) – “I want to register for [Department].” (e.g., 我要挂内科的号。 – “I want to register for Internal Medicine.”)
  • 有专家号吗？(Yǒu zhuānjiā hào ma?) – “Do you have appointments with specialists?” (专家号 – Specialist appointments, usually more expensive but less waiting time than general 门诊 – Outpatient services).
  • 这个号多少钱？(Zhège hào duōshǎo qián?) – “How much does this appointment cost?”
• Payment: You’ll likely need to pay at the registration desk. Be prepared to use cash, a Chinese bank card, or increasingly common mobile payments like WeChat Pay or Alipay. Ask: 可以刷卡/微信/支付宝吗？(Kěyǐ shuākǎ / Wēixìn / Zhīfùbǎo ma?) – “Can I pay by card / WeChat Pay / Alipay?”

Step 2: Describing Your Symptoms (描述症状 – Miáoshù zhèngzhuàng)

Once you see the doctor, clearly describing your symptoms is vital for accurate diagnosis.

• Starting the Conversation: You might begin with: 医生，我感觉不太舒服。(Yīshēng, wǒ gǎnjué bù tài shūfu.) – “Doctor, I don’t feel well.”
• Common Symptom Vocabulary:
  • 疼 (téng) – Pain / Hurts
  • 发烧 (fāshāo) – Fever
  • 咳嗽 (késou) – Cough
  • 头痛 (tóutòng) – Headache
  • 胃痛 (wèi tòng) – Stomach ache
  • 累 (lèi) – Tired
  • 恶心 (ěxīn) – Nausea
  • 痒 (yǎng) – Itch
• Describing Location and Duration:
  • 这里 (zhèlǐ) – Here / This area
  • 那里 (nàlǐ) – There / That area
  • 两天了 (liǎng tiān le) – For two days
  • 从昨天开始 (cóng zuótiān kāishǐ) – Started from yesterday
  • Example: 我肚子这里疼了三天了。(Wǒ dùzi zhèlǐ téng le sān tiān le.) – “My stomach here has been hurting for three days.”
• Asking Questions:
  • 严重吗？(Yánzhòng ma?) – “Is it serious?”
  • 需要做什么检查吗？(Xūyào zuò shénme jiǎnchá ma?) – “Do I need any tests?”

Step 3: Understanding the Diagnosis and Treatment

The doctor will provide a diagnosis and recommend treatment.

• Understanding the Diagnosis: The doctor might say something like: 你这是感冒 (Nǐ zhè shì gǎnmào) – “You have a cold.”
• Getting Medicine: The doctor will likely prescribe medicine.
  • 药房在哪里？(Yàofáng zài nǎlǐ?) – “Where is the pharmacy?”
  • 这个药一天吃几次？(Zhège yào yītiān chī jǐ cì?) – “How many times a day should I take this medicine?”
  • 饭前还是饭后吃？(Fàn qián háishì fàn hòu chī?) – “Should I take it before or after meals?”
  • 有什么副作用吗？(Yǒu shénme fùzuòyòng ma?) – “Are there any side effects?”

Step 4: Getting Medicine from the Pharmacy (药房 – Yàofáng)

Take your prescription to the pharmacy, usually located within the hospital.

• Handing Over Prescription: Simply give the pharmacist your prescription.
• Paying for Medicine: Similar to registration, you’ll pay here. Ask: 一共多少钱？(Yí gòng duōshǎo qián?) – “How much in total?”
• Asking for Clarification: If unsure about the medicine:
  • 这个药是治什么的？(Zhège yào shì zhì shénme de?) – “What is this medicine for?”
  • 怎么服用？(Zěnme fúyòng?) – “How should I take it?”

Useful General Phrases & Cultural Tips

• Please / Thank You: Using 请 (qǐng) and 谢谢 (xièxiè) is always appreciated.
• Politeness: Addressing staff as 医生 (yīshēng – doctor) or 护士 (hùshi – nurse) is respectful.
• Bringing Documents: Always carry your passport. For longer stays or repeated visits, a Residence Permit might be needed.
• Health Insurance: If you have Chinese health insurance, bring your card. For foreigners, check your insurance policy’s coverage in China.
• International Hospitals/Clinics: In major cities, international hospitals often provide English-speaking services, though they are significantly more expensive.

Familiarity with these essential phrases helps demystify the process of seeking medical care in China. It allows for clearer communication with healthcare providers, leading to better care and a less stressful experience. For more practical guides on using Chinese in daily life scenarios, explore our Chinese Knowledge Hub . Practicing these phrases beforehand, perhaps in a conversation setting, can boost your confidence when the need arises.