How to Describe Symptoms in Chinese at a Doctor’s Visit

Visiting a doctor can already feel stressful—especially if you need to explain your symptoms in another language. For Chinese-speaking environments, knowing how to clearly describe how you feel can make a big difference in getting the right diagnosis and treatment.

The good news? You don’t need perfect Chinese. With a few key phrases and a simple structure, you can communicate your symptoms clearly and confidently.

Here’s how to do it.

1. Start with Where It Hurts

The easiest way to begin is by stating where you feel discomfort.

Useful phrases:

• 我頭痛。 – I have a headache
• 我喉嚨痛。 – I have a sore throat
• 我肚子痛。 – I have a stomachache
• 我背很痛。 – My back hurts

You can also say:

• 我這裡不舒服。 – I feel discomfort here (point to the area)

2. Describe the Type of Pain

Doctors often need to know what the pain feels like.

Common descriptions:

• 很痛 – very painful
• 有點痛 – a little painful
• 刺痛 – sharp pain
• 悶痛 – dull pain
• 一直痛 – constant pain

Example:

我肚子有點悶痛。
I have a dull stomach pain.

3. Explain When It Started

Time is important for diagnosis.

Useful phrases:

• 今天開始的 – It started today
• 昨天開始的 – It started yesterday
• 已經三天了 – It’s been three days
• 一個星期了 – It’s been a week

Example:

我頭痛已經兩天了。
I’ve had a headache for two days.

4. Mention Other Symptoms

Doctors often ask about additional symptoms.

Common symptoms:

• 發燒 – fever
• 咳嗽 – cough
• 流鼻水 – runny nose
• 頭暈 – dizziness
• 噁心 – nausea

Example:

我有發燒，也一直咳嗽。
I have a fever and keep coughing.

5. Talk About Severity and Frequency

Explain how serious or frequent the symptoms are.

Useful phrases:

• 很嚴重 – very serious
• 還可以忍受 – tolerable
• 一直都有 – constant
• 有時候會痛 – sometimes hurts

Example:

有時候會痛，但不是一直。
It hurts sometimes, but not constantly.

6. Answer the Doctor’s Questions

Doctors may ask:

• 什麼時候開始的？ – When did it start?
• 會痛嗎？ – Does it hurt?
• 有發燒嗎？ – Do you have a fever?

If you don’t understand, you can say:

• 不好意思，可以再說一次嗎？
  Sorry, could you repeat that?
• 我不太明白。
  I don’t quite understand.

7. Use a Simple Structure

To describe symptoms clearly, follow this structure:

Location → Type → Time → Other symptoms

Example:

我喉嚨痛，已經兩天了，也有一點發燒。
I have a sore throat for two days and a slight fever.

This structure helps doctors quickly understand your condition.

Tips for Communicating at the Doctor’s Visit

✔ Speak slowly and clearly
✔ Use short sentences
✔ Point to the area if needed
✔ Don’t worry about perfect grammar
✔ Focus on being understood

Clear communication is more important than complexity.

Why Learning Medical Chinese Matters

Being able to describe symptoms in Chinese helps you:

• Get more accurate diagnosis
• Reduce misunderstandings
• Feel more confident during doctor visits
• Improve communication with healthcare providers

Even basic phrases can make a big difference.

Learn Medical Chinese with Confidence

That’s where TutorABC Chinese can help.

With TutorABC Chinese, learners can:

• Practice real doctor–patient conversations
• Learn practical medical phrases
• Improve speaking and listening skills
• Receive personalized feedback
• Study flexibly around your schedule

Improve your Medical Chinese communication today. Book a free level placement session with TutorABC Chinese.

FAQs

Do I need fluent Chinese to explain my symptoms?

No. Simple words and short sentences are usually enough. Doctors are used to patients using basic language.

What should I say if I don’t understand the doctor?

You can politely ask them to repeat or explain, such as:
可以再說一次嗎？ (Can you repeat that?)

What is the easiest way to describe symptoms in Chinese?

Use a simple structure: where it hurts, what it feels like, when it started, and any other symptoms.