French Vocabulary And Phrases For Hospitals & Emergencies
Hopefully next time you're in France, you won't need this lesson on medical emergencies.
But it's good to be prepared regardless!
If you find yourself in need of medical attention or a hospital, these French vocabulary and expressions will help you get the help you need.
How to say 'hospital' in French
How do you say hospital in French?
The word for hospital in French is hôpital.
How to say doctor in French (médecin vs. docteur vs. toubib)
How do you say doctor in French?
If you want to say doctor in French, there are three ways to do it:
- le médecin - Use this term when you're not addressing a doctor directly, and you're talking about a doctor without specifically naming them (e.g. Je vais chez le médecin = "I'm going to the doctor").
- le docteur - Use this word when you're talking about a specific doctor, or directly addressing the doctor (le docteur Pinon = "Doctor Pinon").
- le/la toubib - This is an informal/slang term that is very common. Derived from the Arabic word tabib (طبيب).
Emergency phrases to use when you need a doctor or hospital
J'ai besoin de l'assistance.
J'ai d'un medecin.
J'ai besoin d'une ambulance.
Je suis asthmatique.
J'ai besoin d'un inhalateur.
Je suis diabetique.
J'ai besoin de sucre immediatement.
J'ai une crise cardiaque.
J'ai une attaque.
Je me noyer.
Je suis en travail.
J'ai casse le bras.
Essential French hospital vocabulary
| French Vocabulary | English Translation |
|---|---|
| L'hôpital | The hospital |
| Le médecin | The doctor |
| L'infirmière | The nurse |
| Le patient | The patient |
| La douleur | The pain |
| La blessure | The injury |
| Les symptômes | The symptoms |
| La fièvre | The fever |
| La tension | The blood pressure |
| Les urgences | The emergency room |
| La salle d'attente | The waiting room |
| L'examen médical | The medical exam |
| Le diagnostic | The diagnosis |
| La prescription | The prescription |
| La radiographie | The X-ray |
| L'opération | The operation |
| Les soins | The care/treatment |
| L'anesthésie | The anesthesia |
| La rééducation | The rehabilitation |
| La sortie | The discharge |
French verbs used in hospital
| French Verb | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Admettre | To admit |
| Examiner | To examine |
| Diagnostiquer | To diagnose |
| Prescrire | To prescribe |
| Soigner | To treat |
| Opérer | To operate |
| Anesthésier | To anesthetize |
| Guérir | To heal |
| Réanimer | To resuscitate |
| Suivre | To monitor |
| Hospitaliser | To hospitalize |
| Rééduquer | To rehabilitate |
| Désinfecter | To disinfect |
| Vacciner | To vaccinate |
| Transfuser | To transfuse |
| Enregistrer | To register |
| Sortir | To discharge |
| Récupérer | To recover |
| Prélever | To take a sample |
Medical conditions in French
If you find yourself in hospital, you might need to tell the nurses or doctors what conditions you have.
Here's a list of all major medical conditions in French:
| French Term | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Allergie | Allergy |
| Anémie | Anemia |
| Asthme | Asthma |
| AVC (Accident Vasculaire Cérébral) | Stroke |
| Cancer | Cancer |
| Chirurgie | Surgery |
| Diabète | Diabetes |
| Douleur | Pain |
| Épilepsie | Epilepsy |
| Fièvre | Fever |
| Fracture | Fracture |
| Gastrite | Gastritis |
| Grippe | Flu |
| Hépatite | Hepatitis |
| Hypertension | Hypertension |
| Infarctus du myocarde | Heart attack |
| Insomnie | Insomnia |
| Jaunisse | Jaundice |
| Leucémie | Leukemia |
| Maladie d'Alzheimer | Alzheimer's disease |
| Mal de dos | Back pain |
| Mal de gorge | Sore throat |
| Maladie de Crohn | Crohn's disease |
| Maladie de Parkinson | Parkinson's disease |
| Migraine | Migraine |
| Otite | Ear infection |
| Rhume | Cold |
| Sinusite | Sinusitis |
| Toux | Cough |
| Ulcère | Ulcer |
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