CEFR A2-B1
Mandarin Medical Phrases: Doctors, Pharmacies, and Emergencies
Medical situations are among the highest-stakes language interactions a learner will face. Mandarin medical vocabulary follows fairly transparent patterns, and the system differences between mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore are significant enough to warrant per-region notes. This page covers the core phrases for symptoms, pharmacies, doctor visits, and emergencies.
I do not feel well.
Wǒ bù shūfu. (.)
IPA [wo˨˩˦ pu˥˩ ʂu˥fu]
wǒ bù shūfu
'Bù shūfu' (不舒服) is the universal phrase for general illness or discomfort. Highly versatile - works for most general unwell complaints.
I have a headache.
Wǒ tóu téng. (疼.)
IPA [wo˨˩˦ tʰoʊ˧˥ tʰəŋ˧˥]
wǒ tóu téng
'Téng' (疼) is one of the standard verbs for pain. Pattern: 'wǒ [body part] téng'. Body parts: tóu (头, head), dùzi (肚子, stomach), bèi (背, back), sǎngzi (嗓子, throat), yá (牙, tooth).
I have a fever.
Wǒ fāshāo. (烧.)
IPA [wo˨˩˦ fa˥ʂaʊ˥]
wǒ fāshāo
I am vomiting.
Wǒ tù. (吐.)
IPA [wo˨˩˦ tʰu˥˩]
wǒ tù
'Tù' (吐, to vomit) is the standard verb. The fuller form 'ǒutù' (呕吐) is more formal.
I am allergic to...
Wǒ duì... guòmǐn. (...敏.)
IPA [wo˨˩˦ tweɪ˥˩ ... kwo˥˩min˨˩˦]
wǒ duì... guòmǐn
Critical phrase for pharmacy and doctor visits. Pattern: 'Wǒ duì [allergen] guòmǐn'. Common allergens: huāshēng (花生, peanuts), niúnǎi (牛奶, milk), hǎixiān (海鲜, seafood), qīngméisù (青霉素, penicillin).
Where is the pharmacy?
Yàodiàn zài nǎlǐ? (药店?)
IPA [jaʊ˥˩tjɛn˥˩ tsaɪ˥˩ na˨˩˦li˨˩˦]
yàodiàn zài nǎlǐ
'Yàodiàn' (药店) is the standard word for pharmacy. Major Chinese cities have abundant pharmacies; many are open 24 hours.
I need a doctor.
Wǒ xūyào yīshēng. (.)
IPA [wo˨˩˦ ɕy˥jaʊ˥˩ i˥ʂəŋ˥]
wǒ xūyào yīshēng
'Yīshēng' (医生) is the universal word for doctor.
Is there a doctor who speaks English?
Yǒu huì shuō yīngyǔ de yīshēng ma? (英语?)
IPA [joʊ˨˩˦ xweɪ˥˩ ʂwo˥ iŋ˥y˨˩˦ tɤ i˥ʂəŋ˥ ma]
yǒu huì shuō yīngyǔ de yīshēng ma
I need to go to the hospital.
Wǒ yào qù yīyuàn. (.)
IPA [wo˨˩˦ jaʊ˥˩ tɕʰy˥˩ i˥ɥɛn˥˩]
wǒ yào qù yīyuàn
'Yīyuàn' (医院) is hospital. Chinese cities have a tiered hospital system; large public hospitals are the most reliable for serious conditions.
Call an ambulance.
Qǐng jiào jiùhùchē. (.)
IPA [tɕʰiŋ˨˩˦ tɕjaʊ˥˩ tɕjoʊ˥˩xu˥˩ʈʂʰɤ˥]
qǐng jiào jiùhùchē
Emergency number in mainland China: 120 for medical emergency, 110 for police, 119 for fire. Taiwan: 119 for medical and fire. Hong Kong: 999. Singapore: 995.
This is an emergency.
Zhè shì jǐnjí qíngkuàng. (急.)
IPA [ʈʂɤ˥˩ ʂʐ̩˥˩ tɕin˨˩˦tɕi˧˥ tɕʰiŋ˧˥kʰwaŋ˥˩]
zhè shì jǐnjí qíngkuàng
I am pregnant.
Wǒ huáiyùn le. (孕.)
IPA [wo˨˩˦ xwaɪ˧˥yn˥˩ lɤ]
wǒ huáiyùn le
Critical to communicate to medical staff. 'Huáiyùn' (怀孕) is pregnant.
I am taking medication.
Wǒ zài chī yào. (药.)
IPA [wo˨˩˦ tsaɪ˥˩ ʈʂʰʐ̩˥ jaʊ˥˩]
wǒ zài chī yào
Bring packaging and a list of regular medications when travelling. Note 'chī yào' (吃药, literally 'eat medicine') is the standard verb for taking medication.
Please write it down.
Qǐng xiě xiàlái. (.)
IPA [tɕʰiŋ˨˩˦ ɕjɛ˨˩˦ ɕja˥˩laɪ˧˥]
qǐng xiě xiàlái
Useful for spelling out medication names and doctor instructions. Chinese characters are universal across the Mandarin-speaking world even where spoken varieties differ; written communication is a reliable fallback.
Regional notes
Mainland China
Mainland China's healthcare system has a strict tiered public-hospital structure: large tertiary hospitals (sānjí yīyuàn, 三级医院) are the most comprehensive for serious conditions; smaller community clinics are quicker for minor issues. International hospitals in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou (United Family, Parkway, ParkwayHealth) have English-speaking staff at higher cost. Emergency number 120 for medical ambulance. Travel insurance with international hospital coverage is strongly recommended.
Taiwan
Taiwan's National Health Insurance is one of the world's most efficient. Tourists pay out-of-pocket but costs are dramatically lower than US equivalents. Major hospitals in Taipei (Taiwan University Hospital, Veterans General) have English-speaking staff. Emergency number 119. Taiwanese pharmacies (yàojú, 药局) are widespread and accept the Taiwanese NHI card for residents.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong has both a public healthcare system (Hospital Authority) and a substantial private sector. Public hospitals are heavily subsidised but waiting times are long; private hospitals are expensive but quick. English is widely spoken in major Hong Kong hospitals. Emergency number 999. Travel insurance is essential for non-residents using private care.
Singapore
Singapore's healthcare system is high-quality and English-dominant; Mandarin is supplementary rather than necessary in most medical interactions. Public hospitals (Singapore General Hospital, Tan Tock Seng) are excellent; private hospitals (Mount Elizabeth, Gleneagles) are world-class but expensive. Emergency number 995. Mandatory travel insurance for visitors is recommended due to costs.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked
Can I get prescription medication from a Chinese pharmacy without a prescription?
It varies. Mainland Chinese pharmacies (yàodiàn, 药店) dispense many medications OTC that require prescriptions in Western countries. Antibiotics historically were widely available OTC; this has tightened significantly since 2018 and many now require prescription. For chronic medications from your home country, bring the original packaging plus a translated prescription; pharmacists may be able to advise on Chinese equivalents. For controlled substances, you will need a Chinese doctor.
What is Traditional Chinese Medicine and is it offered at modern Chinese hospitals?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM, zhōngyī, 中医) is integrated into mainland Chinese healthcare alongside Western medicine. Most major mainland Chinese hospitals have both Western-medicine (xīyī, 西医) and TCM departments; patients can choose. TCM includes acupuncture, herbal medicine, and other traditional treatments. For acute serious conditions, Western medicine is the standard recommendation; TCM is often used for chronic conditions and recovery. Foreign visitors typically default to Western medicine for unfamiliar situations.
How do I describe pain levels in Mandarin?
The 1-10 pain scale ('yī dào shí de yítòng děngjí', 1 to 10 pain level) is used in modern Chinese medicine as in the West. Useful descriptors: 'jiānruì' (尖锐, sharp), 'chídùn' (迟钝, dull), 'tiàotòng' (跳痛, throbbing), 'chíxù' (持续, constant), 'duànxù' (断续, intermittent). 'Wǒ hěn tòng' (我很痛, I am in significant pain) communicates severity more strongly than 'wǒ téng' alone.
What should I do if I cannot find an English-speaking doctor in mainland China?
Three options. First, international hospitals in major cities (United Family Healthcare, Parkway, ParkwayHealth) have English-speaking staff at premium prices. Second, your embassy or consulate maintains a list of recommended doctors who speak English. Third, translation apps (Pleco, Google Translate, DeepL) can help with Chinese-speaking doctors at standard hospitals; write down symptoms in advance and bring a phone with the app loaded. For serious or unclear conditions, the international hospital is worth the cost for clear communication.