Going to the Doctor in Germany: Phrases and Vocab
Feeling ill in a foreign country is stressful, but the right German phrases make a doctor's visit simple. In this lesson, Johannes from YourGermanTeacher follows a typical visit at a German family doctor's office, from the phone call to the pharmacy, with bonus tips on insurance and emergencies.
Where to Go: Hausarzt, Praxis, Krankenhaus and Apotheke
If you feel sick, go to der Hausarzt (family doctor). His office is die Praxis, and you may see Praxis für Allgemeinmedizin online, which means the same. Die Apotheke is the pharmacy and das Krankenhaus the hospital, where you usually only go for serious injuries or illnesses. Opening hours are die Sprechstunde or die Öffnungszeiten.
Step by Step: The Visit
| Step | German | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Making an appointment | Haben Sie heute noch einen Termin frei? | Do you have an appointment free today? |
| Typical answer | Nein, leider nicht. Aber Sie können einfach vorbeikommen. | No, unfortunately not. But you can just come by. |
| At the reception | Was haben Sie denn? | What's wrong? |
| Your answer | Mir geht's nicht so gut. / Ich habe starke Kopfschmerzen. | I don't feel well. / I have a bad headache. |
| Insurance card | Haben Sie Ihre Gesundheitskarte dabei? | Do you have your health insurance card with you? |
| Waiting | Nehmen Sie bitte im Wartezimmer Platz. | Please take a seat in the waiting room. |
| Doctor asks | Welche Beschwerden haben Sie noch? | What other complaints do you have? |
| Symptoms | Mein Hals tut weh. / Meine Nase läuft. / Meine Nase ist verstopft. | My throat hurts. / My nose is running. / My nose is blocked. |
| Fever | Haben Sie schon Fieber gemessen? - Ja, 38,5. | Have you taken your temperature? - Yes, 38.5. |
| Diagnosis | Sie haben eine Erkältung. / Sie sind erkältet. | You have a cold. |
| Advice | Bleiben Sie zwei bis drei Tage im Bett und ruhen Sie sich gut aus. | Stay in bed for two to three days and rest well. |
| Sick note | Ich schreibe Sie für die nächsten drei Tage krank. | I'm signing you off sick for the next three days. |
| Leaving | Gute Besserung! | Get well soon! |
Useful Details
- Schmerzen (pain) is almost always plural: Kopfschmerzen, Halsschmerzen.
- Wehtun is a separable verb: Mein Hals tut weh.
- Der Hals can mean throat or neck. For the neck only, use der Nacken.
- For fever, keep it short: say the two numbers, achtunddreißig fünf.
- You do not eat medicine: use Medikamente nehmen. Doctors in Germany do not sell medicine, so you get a Rezept (prescription) and buy it at the pharmacy.
- Sich ausruhen is both separable and reflexive: Ruhen Sie sich gut aus.
- At the end, collect your Attest (sick note) and Rezept at der Empfang (reception).
Bonus Tips
Two kinds of health insurance. Most people in Germany have gesetzliche Krankenkasse (statutory insurance) with a card. Private Krankenversicherung is more expensive and harder to get, but offers benefits such as shorter waiting times and a single room in hospital. Private patients do not have the card: you just give your name and insurance company.
Emergencies. For an ambulance (der Krankenwagen) or an emergency doctor (der Notarzt), call 112. If a pharmacy is closed at night, search online for Notdienst Apotheke: a different pharmacy is open each night.
Specialists. For a Facharzt, you usually need a referral (die Überweisung) from your Hausarzt first.
What to Learn Next
Learn reflexive verbs such as sich ausruhen in German Reflexive Verbs with Accusative Explained and separable verbs in German Separable Verbs: The Basics Explained. Then read How to Order Food in a German Restaurant for another real-life situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I go if I am sick in Germany?
Go to a Hausarzt, a family doctor in a Praxis. The hospital (Krankenhaus) is usually only for serious injuries or illnesses.
Do I need an appointment to see a doctor in Germany?
Often you can just come by and wait. When you phone for a same-day appointment, the common answer is Nein, leider nicht. Aber Sie können einfach vorbeikommen.
How do I describe symptoms in German?
Use Ich habe + symptom (Ich habe Kopfschmerzen, Husten, Fieber) or Mein/Meine + body part + tut weh (Mein Hals tut weh).
What number do I call in a medical emergency in Germany?
Call 112 for an ambulance or an emergency doctor. For a closed pharmacy at night, search online for Notdienst Apotheke.
Do I get medicine directly from the doctor in Germany?
No. The doctor gives you a Rezept (prescription) and you get the Medikamente at the Apotheke.
Want to handle real-life situations in German with confidence? Build your skills step by step in the A2 German online course from YourGermanTeacher.
