German Phrases for Describing Symptoms at the Doctor

When you are sitting in a German doctor's office and need to explain what hurts, vague gestures only get you so far. Being able to describe your symptoms in German means the doctor can diagnose you faster and you leave with the right treatment. These are the phrases that actually come up during appointments, organized by the type of symptom.

German phrases for describing symptoms follow a simple pattern: the verb “haben” (to have) in “Ich habe...” for conditions and “Mir tut ... weh” (my ... hurts) for pain. Adding a time frame like “seit drei Tagen” (for three days) gives the doctor the context they need. For a complete walkthrough of the appointment process, see our German doctor visit guide.

Pain: How to Say Where It Hurts

German has two main ways to express pain. The first uses compound words with “-schmerzen” (pain). The second uses the phrase “...tut weh” or “...tun weh” (hurts). Both are common, and doctors understand either one. In practice, the compound forms are more common in everyday German.

Using -schmerzen compounds

• “Ich habe Kopfschmerzen.” - I have a headache.
• “Ich habe Bauchschmerzen.” - I have a stomachache.
• “Ich habe Rückenschmerzen.” - I have back pain.
• “Ich habe Halsschmerzen.” - I have a sore throat.
• “Ich habe Zahnschmerzen.” - I have a toothache.
• “Ich habe Ohrenschmerzen.” - I have an earache.
• “Ich habe Gelenkschmerzen.” - I have joint pain.

Using “tut weh”

• “Mein Knie tut weh.” - My knee hurts.
• “Meine Schulter tut weh.” - My shoulder hurts.
• “Es tut hier weh.” - It hurts here. (Point to the spot.)

The pointing-and-saying method works perfectly when you do not know the exact body part in German. “Es tut hier weh” is one of the most useful phrases you can learn for a doctor visit.

General Illness: Fever, Cough, and Cold Symptoms

Cold and flu symptoms are among the most common reasons for a doctor visit. Here is how to describe them:

• “Ich habe Fieber.” - I have a fever.
• “Ich habe Husten.” - I have a cough.
• “Ich habe Schnupfen.” - I have a runny nose.
• “Mir ist schwindelig.” - I feel dizzy.
• “Mir ist übel.” - I feel nauseous.
• “Ich bin sehr müde.” - I am very tired.
• “Ich habe Schüttelfrost.” - I have chills.

If the doctor asks “Seit wann?” (Since when?), give a time frame:

• “Seit gestern.” - Since yesterday.
• “Seit drei Tagen.” - For three days.
• “Seit einer Woche.” - For a week.

Allergies, Medications, and Medical History

The doctor will usually ask about allergies and current medications. Being prepared for these questions speeds up the appointment.

• “Ich bin allergisch gegen Penicillin.” - I am allergic to penicillin.
• “Ich nehme [Medikament] täglich.” - I take [medication] daily.
• “Ich habe keine Allergien.” - I have no allergies.
• “Ich bin schwanger.” - I am pregnant.
• “Ich wurde letztes Jahr am Knie operiert.” - I had knee surgery last year.

If you do not understand a question, the verb “können” (can) is your friend: “Können Sie das bitte wiederholen?” (Could you please repeat that?) or “Können Sie das bitte langsamer sagen?” (Could you say that more slowly, please?). Doctors are used to patients with limited German and will usually accommodate.

Questions the Doctor Might Ask You

Recognizing common questions helps you prepare answers in advance. Here are phrases you are likely to hear:

• “Was führt Sie zu mir?” - What brings you to me?
• “Wo genau tut es weh?” - Where exactly does it hurt?
• “Seit wann haben Sie die Beschwerden?” - How long have you had the symptoms?
• “Nehmen Sie regelmäßig Medikamente?” - Do you take medication regularly?
• “Haben Sie Vorerkrankungen?” - Do you have any pre-existing conditions?

Many learners find that writing down their symptoms before the appointment is the most effective strategy. You can hand the note to the doctor if speaking feels too difficult. Doctors appreciate this because it is clear and saves time.

Practice the full appointment conversation in the Doctor Visit scenario in EverydayDeutsch. It covers checking in, describing symptoms, and understanding the doctor's instructions. If you need medication afterwards, our pharmacy conversation guide explains how to pick up your prescription.