Describing Symptoms
Use these phrases when you need to explain your symptoms and medical history to a doctor or pharmacist.
Key Phrases
J'ai une douleur très vive dans le bas du dos qui s'aggrave quand je marche.
I have a very sharp pain in my lower back which gets worse when I walk.
💡 Use 'douleur vive' to describe a sharp, intense pain.
J'ai mal à la gorge depuis trois jours et il est difficile d'avaler ma salive.
My throat has been hurting for three days and it is difficult to swallow my saliva.
💡 Use 'depuis' followed by a duration to state how long you have been hurting.
Je pense que j'ai de la fièvre parce que je tremble beaucoup depuis ce matin.
I think I have a fever because I have been shivering a lot since this morning.
💡 Useful for describing feverish chills.
Je suis allergique à la pénicilline, donc il ne faut pas que vous me prescriviez ce médicament.
I am allergic to penicillin, so you must not prescribe this medication to me.
💡 Crucial for safety; use the subjunctive after 'il faut que'.
Je prends régulièrement un traitement pour la tension que le médecin m'a recommandé l'année dernière.
I regularly take a treatment for blood pressure that the doctor recommended to me last year.
💡 Helps you describe your regular daily medications.
C'est une douleur sourde au ventre qui m'empêche de dormir correctement pendant la nuit.
It is a dull pain in the stomach that prevents me from sleeping properly during the night.
💡 Use 'douleur sourde' to describe a dull, constant ache.
Le médecin me conseille de rester au lit et de boire beaucoup d'eau pendant trois jours.
The doctor advises me to stay in bed and to drink a lot of water for three days.
💡 Good for explaining the treatment plan advised by your doctor.
Est-ce que ce médicament a des effets secondaires qui vont me fatiguer pendant la journée ?
Does this medicine have side effects that are going to make me tired during the day?
💡 Useful when picking up new medication at the pharmacy.
Je dois voir un médecin généraliste rapidement parce que ma situation ne s'améliore pas du tout.
I need to see a general practitioner quickly because my situation is not improving at all.
💡 Use when you need to make an appointment or express urgency.