Italian at the Doctor: What to Say and How to Understand the Answers

The Italian phrases you need to book a visit, describe a symptom and understand the doctor, with typical questions and ready answers.

Asia ColombiNative Italian teacher · 4 min read

Before you go

In Italy you usually start with the medico di base (general practitioner), assigned through the local health authority (ASL) and linked to your health card, the tessera sanitaria. For a specialist visit or tests, your GP gives you an impegnativa (referral), and booking is often done at the CUP (the central booking centre) or with a private specialist.

For emergencies there is the pronto soccorso (emergency room), and the single emergency number is 112.

1. Booking an appointment

• "Buongiorno, vorrei prenotare una visita." (Good morning, I would like to book a visit.)
• "Sono un paziente del dottor Rossi." (I am a patient of Dr. Rossi.)
• "Avrei bisogno di un appuntamento per questa settimana." (I would need an appointment this week.)
• "Va bene giovedì mattina?" (Is Thursday morning fine?)
• "Può ripetere la data, per favore?" (Can you repeat the date, please?)

2. Describing what you feel

One simple, precise sentence is worth more than a long sentence full of mistakes.

• "Ho mal di gola da tre giorni." (I have had a sore throat for three days.)
• "Ho la febbre da ieri." (I have had a fever since yesterday.)
• "Mi fa male qui." (It hurts here.)
• "Ho mal di testa, soprattutto la sera." (I have a headache, mostly in the evening.)
• "Ho la tosse e non riesco a dormire." (I have a cough and I cannot sleep.)
• "Sono allergico/a alla penicillina." (I am allergic to penicillin.)
• "Sto prendendo questa medicina." (I am taking this medicine.)

3. Understanding the doctor's questions

These are questions you hear almost every time.

• "Da quanto tempo ha questo problema?" (How long have you had this problem?) Answer: "Da una settimana."
• "Dove sente dolore?" (Where do you feel pain?) Answer: "Qui, sul lato destro."
• "Ha delle allergie?" (Do you have any allergies?) Answer: "Sì, alla penicillina" or "No, nessuna."
• "Prende dei farmaci?" (Are you taking any medication?) Answer: "Prendo solo una pastiglia per la pressione."
• "Ha la febbre?" (Do you have a fever?) Answer: "Sì, trentotto e mezzo."

And the instructions during the visit:

• "Respiri profondamente." (Breathe deeply.)
• "Apra la bocca." (Open your mouth.)
• "Si sdrai qui." (Lie down here.)
• "Mi dica se sente male." (Tell me if it hurts.)

4. When you do not understand

Asking to repeat is normal, and doctors prefer it to a misunderstanding.

• "Può parlare più lentamente, per favore?" (Can you speak more slowly, please?)
• "Può ripetere?" (Can you repeat?)
• "Non ho capito la parola [word]. Cosa significa?" (I did not understand the word [word]. What does it mean?)
• "Può scrivermelo?" (Can you write it down for me?)

5. Understanding the instructions

Before you leave, ask these questions.

• "Quante volte al giorno devo prenderlo?" (How many times a day do I take it?)
• "Per quanti giorni?" (For how many days?)
• "Prima o dopo i pasti?" (Before or after meals?)
• "Devo tornare per un controllo?" (Do I need to come back for a check?)

If you need a certificate for work, say it before the end of the visit: "Mi serve un certificato per il lavoro."

How to train

Reading the phrases is not enough. Say them out loud, and repeat the whole dialogue with someone who plays the doctor and answers you in Italian. It is one of the situations I train in the course: explaining what you feel, understanding what you are told and booking a visit.

If you want to start from here, you can find the plans on the home page.

Frequently asked questions

How do you say "it hurts" in Italian?

"Mi fa male" followed by the body part: "Mi fa male la schiena" (my back hurts), "Mi fa male la gola" (my throat hurts). For plurals: "Mi fanno male i piedi".

How do I book a doctor's appointment in Italy?

For your GP you call or go to the surgery and ask for an appointment. For specialists and tests you usually need the GP's impegnativa, and you book at the CUP or at a private clinic.

What do I say if I do not understand the doctor?

Say "Può parlare più lentamente, per favore?" or "Può ripetere?". If you miss a word, ask: "Cosa significa [word]?".