Medical Spanish phrase sheet
The questions and instructions healthcare staff use most with Spanish-speaking patients, on one page. Every phrase uses usted, the polite form patients expect from a clinician. Print it with the button below or save the page.
1. Opening the visit
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Buenos días. Me llamo ___ y soy su enfermero / enfermera / médico / médica. | Good morning. My name is ___ and I am your nurse / doctor. |
| ¿Prefiere hablar en español? | Would you prefer to speak Spanish? |
| ¿Cómo se llama? ¿Cuál es su fecha de nacimiento? | What is your name? What is your date of birth? |
| ¿Qué lo / la trae hoy? | What brings you in today? |
2. Symptoms
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| ¿Dónde le duele? | Where does it hurt? |
| ¿Desde cuándo tiene este dolor? | How long have you had this pain? |
| ¿El dolor es constante o va y viene? | Is the pain constant, or does it come and go? |
| Del 0 al 10, ¿cuánto le duele? | On a scale of 0 to 10, how bad is the pain? |
| ¿Tiene fiebre, tos o dificultad para respirar? | Do you have a fever, a cough or trouble breathing? |
| ¿Tiene náuseas o ha vomitado? | Do you feel nauseous or have you vomited? |
3. Medical history
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| ¿Toma algún medicamento? | Do you take any medication? |
| ¿Es alérgico / alérgica a algún medicamento? | Are you allergic to any medication? |
| ¿Tiene alguna enfermedad, como diabetes o presión alta? | Do you have any conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure? |
| ¿Está embarazada? | Are you pregnant? |
4. During the exam
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Voy a escuchar su corazón y sus pulmones. | I am going to listen to your heart and lungs. |
| Respire hondo, por favor. | Take a deep breath, please. |
| Voy a tomarle la presión. | I am going to take your blood pressure. |
| Dígame si le duele. | Tell me if it hurts. |
5. Instructions and discharge
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Tome una pastilla dos veces al día, con comida. | Take one pill twice a day, with food. |
| Vuelva si el dolor empeora o si le da fiebre. | Come back if the pain gets worse or you get a fever. |
| ¿Tiene alguna pregunta? | Do you have any questions? |
6. Checking that the patient understood
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Para estar seguro de que me expliqué bien, ¿me puede decir cómo va a tomar el medicamento? | To be sure I explained it well, can you tell me how you will take the medication? |
| Voy a decirlo de otra manera. | I am going to say it another way. |
A phrase sheet does not replace an interpreter. For consent, a serious diagnosis or any high-stakes conversation, use a qualified medical interpreter. Phrases like these help you greet, ask and explain directly, which patients notice and appreciate.