When you’re learning Spanish, it’s easy to focus on everyday vocabulary for travel, food, or directions. But what happens when you need to describe symptoms, ask for medicine, or handle a sudden health issue? Knowing basic Spanish medical terms can make a huge difference, especially when talking to pharmacists or doctors. 

To help, we’ve prepared a quick guide along with three dialogues set in a pharmacy. At the end of this post, you’ll find comprehension questions to test your understanding, plus answers to check your progress.

For a more immersive learning experience, tune into our podcast episode, where you’ll hear a real-life conversation at a pharmacy and discover more tips on understanding Spanish medical terms.

Why knowing Spanish medical terms is essential

Whether you’re travelling or living abroad, understanding basic Spanish medical terms gives you more confidence when discussing health. In a pharmacy, you may need to talk about symptoms, explain an allergy, or find a quick remedy for minor health issues. 

Being able to explain what you feel and understand basic responses is invaluable, especially if you need urgent help. In this episode, we’ll help you consolidate what you have learnt about Spanish medical terms. Before we dive into it, remember to check out our episodes to review how to use me duele and how to explain your symptoms in Spanish. 

Dialogues using Spanish medical terms

To help you practise some Spanish medical terms, we have created three dialogues for you to read or to read out loud. In the audio episode, you’ll find a different dialogue, so that way you can keep practising!

After the dialogues, we have included some comprehension questions. You’ll find the answers at the end of this article. ¡Mucho ánimo!

Dialogue 1: Describing a possible allergic reaction

In this dialogue, Ana goes to the pharmacy with an unusual rash and is unsure of its cause.

• Ana: Hola, no me encuentro bien. Tengo un sarpullido en los brazos y siento algo de picazón.
• Farmacéutico: ¿Ha comido algo inusual recientemente? ¿Marisco, por ejemplo?
• Ana: Sí, ayer comí marisco por primera vez.
• Farmacéutico: Podría ser una reacción alérgica. Tome esto para la picazón. Si no se encuentra mejor en un par de días, vaya al médico.

Dialogue 2: Feeling unwell after sun exposure

In this dialogue, Carlos feels dizzy and wonders if he’s suffering from sunstroke.

• Carlos: Hola, no me siento bien. Creo que tengo una insolación.
• Farmacéutico: ¿Qué síntomas tiene? ¿Tiene fiebre o mareos, por ejemplo?
• Carlos: Me siento algo mareado y muy cansado.
• Farmacéutico: Descanse, tome mucha agua y, si los mareos siguen, vaya al médico.

Dialogue 3: Treating a mild fever

In this last dialogue, Lucía feels feverish and goes to the pharmacy for advice.

• Lucía: Hola, me encuentro un poco mal. Creo que tengo un poco de fiebre.
• Farmacéutico: ¿Tiene otros síntomas, como mareos o sarpullido?
• Lucía: No, solo fiebre y cansancio.
• Farmacéutico: Tome esto y descanse. Si no se encuentra mejor en un par de días, vaya al médico.

Comprehension questions

Let’s test your reading comprehension. Can you answer the following questions? The answers are at the end of this article. ¡Suerte!

1. What food does Ana think caused her allergic reaction?
2. What symptoms does Carlos experience, and what does the pharmacist recommend he should do?
3. What does the pharmacist tell Lucía to do if her symptoms persist?

Learning medical vocabulary in Spanish doesn’t have to be intimidating. With a few key terms and practical expressions, you’ll feel more at ease when discussing health.

For more practice, listen to our latest podcast episode. You’ll hear a conversation at a pharmacy, allowing you to learn and build confidence.

In our next episode and blog post, we’ll have a look  at an interview with Bea, a native Spanish speaker, who is going to tell us a bit more about herself. Mark and Bea will be talking about Spanish language learning. ¡No te lo pierdas!

Happy Coffee Breaking!

Answers

1. Shellfish.
2. Carlos feels dizzy and is advised to descansar y tomar mucha agua.
3. The pharmacist tells Lucía to take the medicine and rest. If she’s not better in a few days, she should visit the doctor.