How to Talk to a Doctor in Japanese: Symptoms & Phrases
A doctor's visit is a high-stakes conversation to have in another language, which is exactly why it's worth rehearsing. Here are the Japanese phrases to describe what's wrong, the questions you'll be asked at reception, and the vocabulary to understand the answer.
Polite form is right; staff will use keigo
You speak in 丁寧語 (です/ます) — you don't need keigo as a patient. Reception and staff will use keigo toward you (お持ちですか, されました). Understanding it matters more than producing it here.
Describing symptoms
頭が痛いです。
Atama ga itai desu.
I have a headache.
お腹が痛いです。
Onaka ga itai desu.
My stomach hurts.
熱があります。
Netsu ga arimasu.
I have a fever.
喉が痛いです。
Nodo ga itai desu.
I have a sore throat.
Giving details
昨日からです。
Kinō kara desu.
Since yesterday.
風邪を引いたみたいです。
Kaze o hiita mitai desu.
I think I caught a cold.
アレルギーがあります。
Arerugī ga arimasu.
I have an allergy.
ここが痛いです。
Koko ga itai desu.
It hurts here.
Point as you say it — always works.
Reception & what you'll hear
保険証はお持ちですか？
Hokenshō wa omochi desu ka?
Do you have your insurance card? (they ask)
どうされましたか？
Dō saremashita ka?
What's wrong? (they ask)
処方箋を出します。
Shohōsen o dashimasu.
I'll give you a prescription. (they say)
お大事に。
Odaiji ni.
Take care / get well. (they say)
Tips to sound natural
- The core pattern is 〜が痛いです (X ga itai desu) — "X hurts." Swap in 頭 (head), お腹 (stomach), 歯 (tooth).
- Bring your 保険証 (health-insurance card) to any clinic; you'll be asked for it at reception.
- If words fail, point and say ここが痛いです ("it hurts here").
- お大事に 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 Japanese, at your level — and get feedback after.
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