Chinese Hospital & Emergency Phrases: What to Say When You Need Help

At a Chinese hospital, go to the registration window first. Say 我要挂号 to register. The clerk will ask 挂哪个科 — which department. Common replies: 内科 for internal medicine, 外科 for surgery, 急诊 for emergency, 儿科 for pediatrics, or 皮肤科 for dermatology.

If you have a fever, say 我发烧了. For stomach pain: 我肚子疼. Headache: 我头疼. Cough: 我咳嗽. Sore throat: 我嗓子疼. Describe timing with 从昨天开始 or 好几天了 to say how long.

The doctor will ask basic questions. 哪儿不舒服 means "where do you feel unwell." Reply with the body part plus 疼 or 不舒服: 胸口疼 for chest pain, 腰疼 for lower back pain, 关节疼 for joint pain.

Describe severity: 有点疼 for mild, 很疼 for very painful, 一阵一阵地疼 for on and off. Mention allergies with 我对...过敏 — fill in 青霉素 for penicillin, 花粉 for pollen, or 海鲜 for seafood. Say 我有...病史 for pre-existing conditions: 糖尿病 for diabetes, 心脏病 for heart disease, 高血压 for high blood pressure.

The doctor may say 需要做检查 for tests, 验血 for blood test, 拍片子 for X-ray, or 做CT. Ask 严重吗 to check seriousness and 需要住院吗 for hospitalization. For medication instructions, listen for 一天几次 — how many times a day — and 一次几片 — how many pills each time.

Key words: 处方 for prescription, 药方 for the medicine list, 缴费 to pay the bill, 取药 to pick up medicine, 复查 for follow-up visit, and 病历 for medical record. Ask 有英文版的吗 if you need an English copy of the diagnosis.

For emergencies, call 120 for ambulance. Say 救命 or 快叫救护车 in a crisis. Report your location with 我在... — fill in the nearest landmark, hotel name, or intersection.

At the ER, tell triage staff 情况很紧急. Useful phrases: 他/她失去意识了 for loss of consciousness, 在流血 for bleeding, 呼吸困难 for difficulty breathing, 骨折了 for fracture, 药物过敏 for drug allergy. If you are alone, say 我是外国人 and 我需要帮助.