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Phrasebook · A2 · at the doctor

At the doctor in French: what to say and what you’ll hear

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated · About the library

Four moments of a visit to a French GP, from booking to the pharmacy. Your lines are on the left, the doctor’s on the right, with notes on the grammar inside them.

1

Booking an appointment

On the phone to the surgery.

YouBonjour, je voudrais prendre rendez-vous avec le docteur Martin, s’il vous plaît.Hello, I’d like to make an appointment with Dr Martin, please.
Doctor or staffC’est urgent ?Is it urgent?
YouNon, mais j’aimerais venir cette semaine si possible.No, but I’d like to come this week if possible.
Doctor or staffJ’ai un créneau jeudi à 10 h 30. Ça vous va ?I have a slot on Thursday at 10.30. Does that suit you?Un créneau is a time slot. Times are written 10 h 30 and read dix heures trente.
Doctor or staffVous êtes déjà venu au cabinet ?Have you been to the practice before?Le cabinet is the doctor’s practice or surgery.
YouNon, c’est la première fois.No, it’s my first time.
2

Explaining what’s wrong

Avoir mal à + the body part, and depuis + how long.

Doctor or staffQu’est-ce qui vous amène ?What brings you here?
YouJ’ai mal à la gorge depuis trois jours.I’ve had a sore throat for three days.À + le = au, à + les = aux: j’ai mal au ventre, j’ai mal aux oreilles.
YouJ’ai de la fièvre et je tousse beaucoup.I have a temperature and I’m coughing a lot.
YouJ’ai le nez qui coule.I’ve got a runny nose.
Doctor or staffVous avez pris quelque chose ?Have you taken anything?
YouSeulement du paracétamol.Just paracetamol.
Doctor or staffVous êtes allergique à un médicament ?Are you allergic to any medicine?
YouOui, je suis allergique à la pénicilline.Yes, I’m allergic to penicillin.
3

During the examination

Short instructions in the vous imperative.

Doctor or staffOuvrez la bouche.Open your mouth.
Doctor or staffRespirez fort. Toussez, s’il vous plaît.Breathe deeply. Cough, please.
Doctor or staffVous pouvez vous allonger ici ?Could you lie down here?
YouÇa me fait mal quand vous appuyez ici.It hurts when you press here.
4

Prescription and pharmacy

What the doctor writes and what the pharmacist asks.

Doctor or staffJe vous fais une ordonnance.I’ll write you a prescription.Une ordonnance is a prescription.
Doctor or staffUn comprimé trois fois par jour, pendant les repas, pendant cinq jours.One tablet three times a day, with meals, for five days.The first pendant means during; the second means for (a length of time).
YouEst-ce que je peux aller travailler ?Can I go to work?
Doctor or staffJe vous fais un arrêt de travail de deux jours.I’ll give you a sick note for two days.
YouBonjour, j’ai une ordonnance.Hello, I have a prescription. (at the pharmacy)
Doctor or staffJe vous donne le générique, ça vous va ?I’ll give you the generic version, is that all right?

Good to know in France

Emergencies and out of hours

For a medical emergency in France, call 15 (the SAMU). 112 works from any phone across the European Union. At night and on Sundays, look for the pharmacie de garde, the duty pharmacy; its address is usually posted on the door of closed pharmacies.

Patients and doctors use vous with each other, whatever their age.

Keep going

Phrases written for this page. Emergency numbers are those used in France and the EU; check local numbers elsewhere. This page is language practice, not medical advice.