Spanish Phrases for a Doctor Visit · Frases en español para la consulta
This page is for the person asking the questions: front-desk staff, nurses, and bilingual family members who need the basic flow of a visit in Spanish. Use “usted” (formal) by default.
Esta página es para quien hace las preguntas en la consulta: recepción, enfermería y familiares bilingües. Usa «usted» por respeto.
Key phrases · Frases clave
| English | Español | Say it (pronunciation) |
|---|---|---|
| Hello, I am your nurse. | Hola, soy su enfermero / enfermera. | OH-lah, soy soo en-fer-MEH-ro / en-fer-MEH-rah |
| What brings you in today? | ¿Qué lo / la trae hoy? | keh loh / lah TRAH-eh oy |
| What is your date of birth? | ¿Cuál es su fecha de nacimiento? | kwahl es soo FEH-chah deh nah-see-MYEN-toh |
| Do you have health insurance? | ¿Tiene seguro médico? | tee-EH-neh seh-GOO-ro MEH-dee-ko |
| Please sign here. | Firme aquí, por favor. | FEER-meh ah-KEE por fah-VOR |
| Take a deep breath. | Respire profundo. | res-PEE-reh pro-FOON-do |
| Open your mouth. | Abra la boca. | AH-brah lah BOH-kah |
| Can you tell me in your own words? | ¿Puede decírmelo con sus propias palabras? | PWEH-deh deh-SEER-meh-loh kon soos PROH-pyahs pah-LAH-brahs |
Sample exchange · Ejemplo de conversación
| Who | English | Español |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse | Good morning. I am María, your nurse. | Buenos días. Soy María, su enfermera. |
| Nurse | What brings you in today? | ¿Qué la trae hoy? |
| Patient | I have had a cough for a week. | Tengo tos desde hace una semana. |
| Nurse | Do you take any medicines? | ¿Toma alguna medicina? |
| Patient | Yes, for my blood pressure. | Sí, para la presión. |
| Nurse | I am going to take your blood pressure now. | Voy a tomarle la presión ahora. |
| Nurse | The doctor will be with you in a few minutes. | El doctor viene en unos minutos. |
Vocabulary · Vocabulario
| English | Español | Say it (pronunciation) |
|---|---|---|
| appointment | la cita | SEE-tah |
| waiting room | la sala de espera | SAH-lah deh es-PEH-rah |
| exam room | el consultorio | kon-sool-TOH-ryo |
| prescription | la receta | reh-SEH-tah |
Pronunciation tips · Cómo pronunciarlo
- Use “usted,” not “tú,” with adults, especially older patients. It sounds like “oos-TED.”
- Double r rolls. “Receta” has a single tap, but “perro” rolls. For medical words, a clear single tap is understood.
- H is silent. “Hola” is OH-lah, and “hoy” is oy.
Common mistakes · Errores comunes
- Using “tú” with an older patient. It can sound disrespectful. Start with “usted.” · Empieza con «usted».
- Asking “¿Entiende?” as the only check. Most people answer “sí” out of politeness. Use teach-back instead. · Pide que lo repitan.
- Mixing English words into long Spanish sentences. Short, complete sentences are clearer than a blend of both. · Frases cortas y completas.
Before you rely on a phrase list · Antes de usar frases
A reliable habit is teach-back: after explaining, ask the patient to say it back. A nod does not prove understanding, so confirm with an open question.
No basta con que el paciente asienta: pídele que lo repita con sus propias palabras.
FAQ · Preguntas frecuentes
Should I say “usted” or “tú” to patients? / ¿Debo usar «usted» o «tú»?
Use “usted” with adults unless they invite you to use “tú.” Younger patients and children are often addressed with “tú.”
Usa «usted» con adultos. Con niños y jóvenes se usa «tú».
Is a phrase list enough for a full visit? / ¿Basta una lista de frases para toda la consulta?
No. Phrases help with greetings, forms, and simple instructions. For diagnoses, consent, and complex questions, use a qualified medical interpreter.
No. Para diagnósticos y consentimientos se necesita un intérprete médico calificado.
What if the patient answers faster than I understand? / ¿Y si el paciente responde más rápido de lo que entiendo?
Say “Más despacio, por favor” (mahs deh-SPAH-syo, por fah-VOR), then repeat what you understood and ask “¿Es correcto?”
Pide «más despacio, por favor» y repite lo que entendiste para confirmar.
Understand the doctor — in Spanish · Entiende al doctor en español
MedEar listens to the doctor, translates into Spanish, and explains medical terms. Pruébalo gratis.
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