Medical Consultation
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EN: Use 'Please' at the beginning of a sentence to make a command or request polite.
Please open the door.
EN: In a professional setting like a doctor's office, it is common to use the patient's first name to create a friendly atmosphere, while the patient usually addresses the doctor by their title and last name.
EN: Use 'Dr.' followed by a last name to show respect to a medical professional or someone with a PhD.
Good afternoon, Dr. Smith.
EN: In English-speaking medical contexts, it is standard to address doctors by 'Dr.' and their last name. Using only 'Doctor' is also common and polite.
EN: Use 'How are you + verb-ing' to ask about someone's current state or health condition.
How are you doing today?
EN: In a medical context, this is a standard professional way for a doctor to begin a consultation. It is more specific than a general 'How are you?' and focuses on the patient's health.
EN: Use 'to be honest' at the beginning or end of a sentence to show you are telling the truth, especially when the news is not good.
To be honest, I don't like this coffee.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, when a doctor asks 'How are you feeling?', it is expected that you give an honest answer about your symptoms rather than just saying 'I'm fine'.
EN: Use 'I'm sorry to hear that' to show empathy when someone shares bad news or feels unwell.
I'm sorry to hear that your cat is sick.
EN: In English-speaking medical contexts, doctors often use empathetic phrases like 'I'm sorry to hear that' to build rapport with patients before moving to clinical questions.
EN: Use 'I have a + [health problem]' to describe symptoms or illnesses.
I have a stomach ache.
EN: In English-speaking medical contexts, patients are encouraged to be specific about the severity of pain using adjectives like 'bad', 'sharp', or 'dull'.
EN: Use 'feel' followed by an adjective to describe your physical or emotional state. 'All the time' is a common phrase meaning 'constantly' or 'always'.
I feel happy all the time.
EN: In a medical context, being specific about the duration (all the time) helps doctors understand the severity of the illness.
EN: Use 'did' to ask questions about the past. After 'did', the main verb (like 'start') must be in its base form.
When did you eat lunch?
EN: In a medical context, doctors use 'When did... start?' to establish a timeline for an illness, which is crucial for diagnosis.
EN: Use the past tense 'started' and the word 'ago' to talk about when something happened in the past.
I finished my homework two hours ago.
EN: In medical contexts, being specific about when symptoms started (e.g., 'three days ago') helps doctors make an accurate diagnosis.
EN: Use 'Let me + verb' to politely offer help or tell someone what you are about to do.
Let me help you with those bags.
EN: In a medical context, doctors often use 'Let me...' to explain their actions before touching a patient, which is both professional and reassuring.
EN: Use 'have a + [health problem]' to describe symptoms or illnesses you are experiencing.
I have a cold.
EN: In many English-speaking countries, body temperature is often measured in Fahrenheit (°F), but Celsius (°C) is standard in medical contexts and in many other parts of the world. 37.8°C is considered a low-grade fever.
EN: Use 'Can you...' to make a polite request or ask someone to do something.
Can you close the door, please?
EN: In a medical context, doctors use 'please' and 'Can you...' to make patients feel more comfortable and less like they are being ordered around.
EN: Use 'Like this?' as a short question to ask if you are doing an action correctly or if something looks right.
Do I hold the pen like this?
EN: In a medical context, patients often use short phrases like this to confirm they are following the doctor's physical instructions correctly.
EN: Use 'Subject + be verb + adjective' to describe how something looks or feels.
The soup is very hot.
EN: In a medical context, 'perfect' is often used by healthcare professionals to encourage patients when they follow instructions correctly (like opening their mouth wide).
EN: Use 'Do you have...' to ask about symptoms or things someone possesses. Use 'or' to give two choices in a question.
Do you have a headache or a fever?
EN: In Western medical contexts, doctors often ask specific 'yes/no' or 'either/or' questions to narrow down a diagnosis quickly.
EN: Use 'have' to describe medical symptoms or conditions you are currently experiencing.
I have a headache.
EN: In English-speaking medical contexts, patients are encouraged to be specific about which symptoms they have and, importantly, which ones they do NOT have to help with diagnosis.
EN: Use 'have + noun' to state a result, possession, or a condition you have identified.
I have a gift for you.
EN: In Western medicine, doctors often use this phrase to transition from the examination phase to the explanation of the illness, maintaining a professional yet direct communication style.
EN: Use 'have a/an + [illness]' to describe a medical condition or symptom.
I have a cold.
EN: In Western medical contexts, doctors often use direct language to state a diagnosis but follow it with reassuring phrases like 'not serious' to maintain a professional yet empathetic tone.
EN: Use the pattern 'It is [adjective] to [verb]' to express your feeling or opinion about an action.
It is nice to meet you.
EN: In English-speaking medical contexts, patients often use this phrase to express relief after a doctor gives a non-serious diagnosis.
EN: Use 'will' followed by a base verb to talk about a future action or a decision made at the moment of speaking.
I will call you later.
EN: In English-speaking medical contexts, 'medication' is a formal term for medicine. Doctors often use 'it' to refer back to the specific illness or symptom previously discussed.
EN: Use the base form of a verb at the start of a sentence to give instructions or commands. This is called the 'Imperative' mood.
Drink plenty of water every day.
EN: In English, we use 'take' for medicine, not 'eat'. Using 'eat' for medicine sounds unnatural to native speakers.
EN: Use 'Should I + verb' to ask for advice or instructions on the correct way to do something.
Should I call you later?
EN: In English-speaking medical contexts, 'with food' usually means during or immediately after a meal to prevent stomach upset.
EN: Use 'always' before a verb to give a strong instruction or describe a constant habit.
Always wash your hands before eating.
EN: In English-speaking medical contexts, 'medication' is a formal word for medicine. 'After meals' is a standard instruction to prevent stomach irritation.
EN: Use 'should' to give advice or suggestions. It is followed by the base form of a verb.
You should sleep early tonight.
EN: In Western medical consultations, doctors often provide lifestyle advice (like drinking water and resting) alongside prescriptions as a holistic approach to recovery.
EN: Use 'will' to make a promise or show willingness to follow a suggestion or instruction immediately after hearing it.
I will call you later.
EN: In a medical context, saying 'I will do that' shows respect for the doctor's expertise and confirms that you understand the treatment plan.
EN: Use 'want to + verb' to express a desire or a plan to do something in the future.
I want to buy a new car next month.
EN: In Western medical contexts, a 'follow-up' is a standard procedure to ensure the patient is recovering as expected. It is common for doctors to schedule this even for minor infections.
EN: Use 'Is [Time/Day] okay?' to check if a specific time is convenient for someone.
Is tomorrow afternoon okay?
EN: In English-speaking medical contexts, patients often confirm appointments by suggesting or agreeing to specific time slots. 'Okay' is a very common, polite way to confirm suitability.
EN: Use 'will' followed by the base form of a verb to talk about things that will happen in the future.
I will call you tomorrow.
EN: In Western medical culture, doctors often use encouraging phrases like 'You will feel better soon' to provide emotional support and build rapport with patients.
EN: Use 'so much' after 'Thank you' to show stronger gratitude.
Thank you so much for your help.
EN: In English-speaking medical contexts, it is standard and polite to address a doctor using 'Dr.' followed by their last name.
EN: Reflexive pronouns like 'yourself' are used when the subject and the object of the sentence are the same person.
Please help yourself to some cookies.
EN: In Western medical culture, doctors often end a consultation with a warm closing like 'Take care' to show empathy and build rapport with the patient.
Key vocabulary words with IPA pronunciation, definitions, example sentences, and interactive quizzes.
Phrases with type tags, bilingual definitions, usage notes, and example sentences.
To tell the truth; used to express a sincere opinion.
A condition where mucus comes out of the nose.
To look after one's own health and well-being.
A subsequent medical appointment to check the progress of a patient after an initial treatment.
An instruction to consume medication during or immediately after a meal.