You're not feeling well. You've found a doctor near your apartment. You've booked an appointment. And now, sitting in the waiting room of a German Arztpraxis, you're reading a form with questions you can only half-understand, wondering how you're going to describe what's wrong in a language that puts the verb at the end of the sentence.

German doctors — especially in larger cities — often have functional English. But many don't, and many prefer to conduct appointments in German even if they could manage English. Knowing the vocabulary is not just about communication; it's about being treated as a competent adult who knows what they need, rather than someone to be gently managed.

Here is what you'll encounter.

The System

Krankenversicherung — health insurance. Germany has a dual system: gesetzliche Krankenversicherung (GKV) — statutory/public insurance — and private Krankenversicherung (PKV) — private insurance. Most employees are covered by GKV; higher earners have the option of PKV. Know which you have.

Krankenkasse — your specific public health insurance provider (AOK, TK, Barmer, DAK, and many others). You receive a card from them.

Versichertenkarte / Gesundheitskarte — the electronic health insurance card. Present this at every appointment. Your doctor's practice submits it to the Krankenkasse electronically; without it, you may be asked to pay privately and claim reimbursement.

Kassenpatient — a publicly insured patient. Most Germans.

Privatpatient — a privately insured patient. Typically gets an appointment faster and may see senior practitioners more readily.

Hausarzt / Hausärztin — your GP (general practitioner). In Germany, the Hausarzt is your primary point of contact for most health matters. Seeing a specialist (Facharzt) without a Überweisung (referral) from your Hausarzt is possible, but publicly insured patients may pay a supplementary fee.

Facharzt / Fachärztin — a specialist doctor. Cardiologist (Kardiologe), dermatologist (Dermatologe), orthopaedist (Orthopäde), neurologist (Neurologe), and so on.

Termin — appointment. "Ich würde gerne einen Termin vereinbaren." — I'd like to make an appointment.

At Reception

Anmeldeformular — registration form. On your first visit to a practice, you'll complete a form with your personal details, insurance information, and medical history.

Vorerkrankungen — pre-existing conditions.

Allergien — allergies.

Medikamente — medications. If you take regular medication, bring it with you, or at least its name and dosage.

Notfall — emergency. If your situation is urgent, say "Es ist ein Notfall" — this is an emergency.

Wartezeit — waiting time.

Describing Symptoms

Beschwerden — complaints, symptoms. The word your doctor will use: "Was sind Ihre Beschwerden?" — What are your symptoms?

Schmerzen — pain. Always qualified by location and character:

Brennen — burning sensation. Stechen — stabbing pain. Ziehen — pulling pain. Dumpf — dull (as in dull ache). Anhaltend / dauerhaft — persistent, constant. Intermittierend — intermittent.

Fieber — fever. "Ich habe Fieber" or "Ich bin fiebrig."

Schwindel — dizziness.

Übelkeit — nausea.

Erbrechen — vomiting.

Husten — cough.

Schnupfen — runny nose.

Erschöpfung / Müdigkeit — exhaustion / fatigue.

Seit wann? — Since when? You'll be asked this. Have a timeframe ready: "Seit drei Tagen" (for three days), "Seit letzter Woche" (since last week).

The Examination

Blutdruck messen — taking blood pressure.

Blut abnehmen — taking blood (blood draw). "Ich muss Ihnen Blut abnehmen."

Rezept — prescription. "Ich stelle Ihnen ein Rezept aus." — I'll write you a prescription.

Kassenrezept — a prescription covered by your public insurance (pink form). Covered medications are dispensed at a reduced co-pay (Zuzahlung, currently €5–10 per medication).

Privatrezept — a private prescription (blue or white form). You pay the full cost and may or may not be reimbursed by your insurer.

Überweisung — referral to a specialist.

Krankschreibung / Arbeitsunfähigkeitsbescheinigung (AU) — sick note, the document certifying that you are medically unfit to work. Presented to your employer. Since 2023, your Hausarzt transmits this electronically to your Krankenkasse, which notifies your employer; you may no longer need to hand over a paper copy.

Attest — medical certificate, a broader term covering various types of documentation.

Essential Phrases

"Ich habe Schmerzen hier." + [point] — I have pain here.

"Die Schmerzen strahlen bis [location] aus." — The pain radiates to [location].

"Ich bin allergisch gegen [substance]." — I am allergic to [substance].

"Ich nehme regelmäßig [medication]." — I regularly take [medication].

"Ich bin schwanger." — I am pregnant.

"Können Sie das bitte aufschreiben?" — Can you please write that down?

"Ich habe das nicht ganz verstanden — können Sie es wiederholen?" — I didn't quite understand that — can you repeat it?

A Note on the Notaufnahme

If you need emergency care, the Notaufnahme (emergency department) at a hospital operates independently of the appointment system. Present your Versichertenkarte at reception. For life-threatening emergencies, call 112.

Your medical vocabulary is one of the most important sets of words you'll learn abroad — not because you'll use it every day, but because when you need it, you really need it. Don't build it during an appointment. Build it before.

German vocabulary for daily life covers administrative situations; this is the vocabulary for the ones that feel personal.

Your health vocabulary shouldn't have gaps. Vokabulo helps you prepare for medical appointments before you need them — in German and over 100 other languages. Available on iPhone and iPad.