How do I tell a German doctor what hurts?

Use Ich habe + the body part + schmerzen: Ich habe Kopfschmerzen (headache), Ich habe Bauchschmerzen (stomachache), Ich habe Halsschmerzen (sore throat). For fever, Ich habe Fieber.

Do I need an appointment to see a doctor in Germany?

Usually yes — you book a Termin at the Praxis (practice). Some offices also have open consultation hours (Sprechstunde). Bring your Versichertenkarte (insurance card) either way.

How can I practice a medical conversation in German?

Symptoms are hard to recall under stress, so rehearse them in a full exchange out loud. Renza lets you practice the doctor's-visit scenario in German with feedback on your Sie register and accuracy.

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German·A doctor's visit

How to Talk to a Doctor in German: Symptoms & Phrases

Describing what's wrong in German is one conversation worth preparing in advance. Here are the phrases for symptoms, the questions you'll be asked at the practice (Praxis), and the vocabulary to understand the treatment.

Formal Sie with medical staff

Use the formal Sie with doctors and reception — Ich habe…, Brauche ich…? You'll hear Haben Sie…?, Nehmen Sie… A doctor's office is a Praxis, and you usually need a Termin (appointment).

Describing symptoms

Ich habe Kopfschmerzen.

ikh HAH-buh KOPF-shmer-tsen

I have a headache.

Ich habe Bauchschmerzen.

ikh HAH-buh BOWKH-shmer-tsen

I have a stomachache.

Ich habe Fieber.

ikh HAH-buh FEE-ber

I have a fever.

Ich habe Halsschmerzen.

ikh HAH-buh HALS-shmer-tsen

I have a sore throat.

Giving details

Seit gestern.

zait GES-tern

Since yesterday.

Ich glaube, ich bin erkältet.

ikh GLOW-buh, ikh bin er-KEL-tet

I think I have a cold.

Ich bin gegen Penicillin allergisch.

ikh bin GAY-gen peh-nee-tsee-LEEN ah-LER-gish

I'm allergic to penicillin.

Brauche ich ein Rezept?

BROW-khuh ikh ain reh-TSEPT

Do I need a prescription?

Reception & what you'll hear

Haben Sie Ihre Versichertenkarte?

HAH-ben zee EE-ruh fer-ZIKH-er-ten-kar-tuh

Do you have your insurance card? (they ask)

Was fehlt Ihnen?

vass faylt EE-nen

What's wrong? (they ask, lit. 'what's missing')

Nehmen Sie das zweimal täglich.

NAY-men zee dass TSVAI-mal TAYK-likh

Take this twice a day. (they say)

Gute Besserung!

GOO-tuh BES-er-oong

Get well soon! (they say)

Tips to sound natural

The core pattern is Ich habe …schmerzen: Kopfschmerzen (head), Bauchschmerzen (stomach), Halsschmerzen (throat), Zahnschmerzen (teeth).
Bring your Versichertenkarte (insurance card) to any Praxis (doctor's office).
You usually need a Termin (appointment); some practices have open hours called a Sprechstunde.
Gute Besserung! is the standard "feel better" — you'll hear it as you leave.

Now practice it out loud

Reading phrases isn't speaking them. Rehearse this exact scene with an AI partner in German, at your level — and get feedback after.

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