Spanish phrases for the doctor & pharmacy
You hope never to need them, but a handful of medical Spanish phrases can make a stressful moment abroad far easier. Here’s what to say at the pharmacy, the doctor, and in an emergency.
A few medical phrases turn a scary moment into a manageable one.
Getting ill on a trip is stressful enough without a language barrier. The reassuring news is that a small, fixed set of phrases covers most of what you’ll need — and pharmacists in Spanish-speaking countries handle a lot more minor care than in some places, often without an appointment.
At the pharmacy (la farmacia)
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| ¿Tiene algo para…? | Do you have something for…? |
| …el dolor de cabeza / el resfriado. | …a headache / a cold. |
| Necesito esto sin receta. | I need this without a prescription. |
| ¿Cómo lo tomo? | How do I take it? |
| Soy alérgico / alérgica a… | I’m allergic to… (m / f) |
Describing symptoms
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Me duele aquí. | It hurts here. |
| Me duele la cabeza / el estómago. | My head / stomach hurts. |
| Tengo fiebre / tos / náuseas. | I have a fever / cough / nausea. |
| Me siento mal desde ayer. | I’ve felt ill since yesterday. |
Key takeaways
- In Spain and Latin America, the pharmacy (farmacia) handles many minor issues without a doctor.
- “Me duele…” (it hurts me…) + body part covers most symptom descriptions.
- Memorise “Necesito un médico” and “Llame a una ambulancia” for emergencies.
- Know how to say your allergies and any condition you have.
At the doctor (el médico)
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Necesito ver a un médico. | I need to see a doctor. |
| Tengo una condición: … | I have a condition: … |
| Tomo este medicamento. | I take this medication. |
| ¿Necesito una receta? | Do I need a prescription? |
Emergencies
Learn these three cold, just in case:
- Necesito ayuda. — I need help.
- Llame a una ambulancia. — Call an ambulance.
- Es una emergencia. — It’s an emergency.
In Spain and much of the EU the emergency number is 112; in Mexico it’s 911. Worth checking your destination before you go.
Pack these before you travel
Add the medical phrases to your travel deck and rehearse them alongside the everyday ones — they take minutes to learn and could matter enormously. For the rest, see Spanish phrases for travel and restaurant Spanish phrases.
FAQ
How do you describe symptoms in Spanish?+
Use “Me duele…” (it hurts) plus the body part — “Me duele la cabeza” (my head hurts) — and “Tengo…” for states like fever, cough or nausea: “Tengo fiebre.” Keep it simple and specific.
How do I ask for medicine at a pharmacy in Spanish?+
Say “¿Tiene algo para…?” (Do you have something for…?) plus the problem, e.g. “…el dolor de cabeza.” Pharmacists in Spanish-speaking countries can advise on and sell many remedies without a prescription.
What’s the emergency phrase in Spanish?+
“Necesito ayuda” (I need help) and “Llame a una ambulancia” (Call an ambulance). The emergency number is 112 in Spain and much of Europe, and 911 in Mexico.