One of the not-so-nice things that can happen when you are on holiday or studying in a different country is getting ill. That is why understanding basic medical terms in German, for example, can be a lifesaver if you find yourself in that situation.

While we hope you never have to use them, knowing how to describe a headache or a sore throat can make a huge difference when navigating healthcare in a German-speaking country. In this blog post, we will have a look into the essential German medical terms and phrases to ensure you’re prepared for any situation.

As always, listen to the podcast to ensure you make the best of this learning experience by listening to Thomas, our native speaker tutor! 

Essential German body parts vocabulary

First and foremost, to be able to describe your symptoms, aches and pains you need to know the name of some body parts. That will make explaining your symptoms much easier. 

Let’s have a look at some of the most common ones: 

• der Kopf head;
• der Bauch stomach;
• der Rücken back;
• der Arm arm;
• die Hand hand;
• der Fuß foot;
• das Bein leg;
• das Auge eye;
• das Ohr  ear;
• der Hals throat.

Common symptoms in German

If someone asks you how are you feeling in German and the answer is not so good, you might need to explain why you are feeling like that using some of the vocabulary about body parts in German we just learned. To be understood, you will need to describe your symptoms using simple German medical terms.

That applies to any visit to an Apotheke pharmacy or seeking medical help at an Arzt doctor. Here are some basic ways of doing that:

• Ich habe Kopfschmerzen. I have a headache.
• Ich habe Halsschmerzen. I have a sore throat.
• Ich habe Bauchschmerzen.  I have stomach pain.
• Ich habe Rückenschmerzen. I have back pain.
• Ich habe Zahnschmerzen. I have a toothache.

Additionally, another handy way of saying that something hurts is using the phrase ‘Mein(e) [body part] tut weh’, which translates to my [body part] hurts. For example:

• Mein Arm tut weh. My arm hurts.
• Meine Beine tun weh. My legs hurt.

Describing specific aches and pains in German 

If you need to describe more specific aches and pains, these words may help:

• geschwollen sein to be swollen
• gebrochen sein to be broken
• brennen to burn
• jucken to itch

Useful phrases for a pharmacy or doctor’s visit

Now that you know how to describe your symptoms using simple German medical terms, there are some other important phrases to know when visiting a doctor or a pharmacy in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland:

• Wo tut es Ihnen weh? Where does it hurt? (formal)
• Wo tut es dir weh? Where does it hurt? (informal)
• Ich fühle mich nicht gut.  I don’t feel well.
• Haben Sie etwas gegen [symptom]? Do you have something for [symptom]?

It’s important to know that pharmacies play a significant role in providing over-the-counter medication and advice. If you’re not feeling well but it’s not an emergency, visiting an Apotheke may be your first step.

While many medical professionals in German-speaking countries speak English, showing effort in speaking German ensures that you’re prepared for situations where English might not be an option! If you want to learn more useful phrases and words seeking help at a pharmacy, make sure the blog post we prepared with essential German pharmacy vocabulary!