At the doctor
Vocabulary
- o médicothe doctor
- a farmáciathe pharmacy
- o medicamentothe medication
- a receitathe prescription
- a consultathe appointment
- a dorthe pain
- a febrethe fever
- a tossethe cough
- a constipaçãothe cold (illness)
- a alergiathe allergy
At the Doctor
Describing symptoms
- O que sente? → What do you feel? (doctor asks)
- Dói-me aqui. → It hurts here.
- Tenho dores de cabeça. → I have headaches.
- Tenho tosse e febre. → I have a cough and fever.
- Estou constipado/a. → I have a cold.
Important: "Constipação" false friend
In Portuguese, constipação means a cold (runny nose), NOT constipation! This is a common mistake for English speakers.
At the pharmacy
- Tem algo para a dor de cabeça? → Do you have something for a headache?
- Preciso de uma receita? → Do I need a prescription?
- Como devo tomar este medicamento? → How should I take this medication?
- Quantas vezes por dia? → How many times per day?
Common doctor phrases
- Abra a boca. — Open your mouth.
- Respire fundo. — Breathe deeply.
- Onde dói? — Where does it hurt?
- Há quanto tempo? — For how long?
Tip: In Portugal, many medications require a prescription (receita). Pharmacies (farmácias) are marked with a green cross.
Expressions
- Queria marcar uma consulta.I would like to make an appointment.
- Não me sinto bem.I don't feel well.
- Tenho dores de estômago.I have a stomachache.
- Sou alérgico/a a penicilina.I am allergic to penicillin.
- Tem algo para a tosse?Do you have something for a cough?
- Preciso de uma receita?Do I need a prescription?
Common mistakes
Estou constipado (meaning constipated).Estou constipado (meaning I have a cold).Constipação means a cold in Portuguese, NOT constipation. A very common false friend!
Eu preciso um médico.Eu preciso de um médico.Precisar always requires de before the object.
Tenho dor de o estômago.Tenho dor de estômago.Dor de estômago is a fixed expression — no article needed.
Sou alérgico para penicilina.Sou alérgico a penicilina.Alérgico takes the preposition a (not para).
Quick quiz
Question 1 of 5
How do you say “the pharmacy” in Portuguese?
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