CEFR A2-B1
French Medical Phrases: Doctors, Pharmacies, and Emergencies
Medical interactions are the highest-stakes language situations a learner is likely to face. This page covers the core vocabulary for describing symptoms, navigating French pharmacies (which play a bigger health-system role than US ones), booking GP appointments, and handling emergencies. Phrases work across France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Quebec with regional notes flagged where the system diverges.
I do not feel well.
.
IPA /ʒə nə mə sɑ̃ pa bjɛ̃/
zhuh nuh muh sahn pah bee-AHN
The reflexive 'se sentir' (to feel) is the standard verb for physical sensation.
I have a headache.
J' .
IPA /ʒe mal a la tɛt/
zhay mal a la TET
The construction 'avoir mal a' + body part is universal. J'ai mal au dos (back pain), au ventre (stomach), aux dents (teeth), a la gorge (throat).
I have a fever.
J' fievre.
IPA /ʒe də la fjɛvʁ/
zhay duh la fee-EHV-ruh
I have been vomiting.
J' vomi.
IPA /ʒe vɔmi/
zhay vo-MEE
Past participle 'vomi' from 'vomir'. For ongoing: 'je vomis' (I am vomiting).
I am allergic to...
allergique ...
IPA /ʒə sɥi alɛʁʒik a/
zhuh swee a-lehr-ZHEEK ah
Critical for any pharmacy or doctor visit. Common allergies: aux noix (nuts), aux fruits de mer (shellfish), a la penicilline (penicillin), au lactose (lactose).
Where is the pharmacy?
pharmacie ?
IPA /u ɛ la faʁmasi/
oo ay la far-ma-SEE
French pharmacies are marked with a green cross. They provide significant health advice and can prescribe a wide range of OTC medications. Pharmacists are highly trained and serve as a first point of medical contact.
I need a doctor.
J' ' .
IPA /ʒe bəzwɛ̃ dœ̃ medsɛ̃/
zhay buh-ZWAHN dahn med-SAHN
'Medecin' is the standard French for doctor. 'Docteur' is also used as a title and casually.
Is there a doctor who speaks English?
-- ?
IPA /jatil œ̃ medsɛ̃ ki paʁl ɑ̃ɡlɛ/
yah-teel ahn med-SAHN kee parl ahn-GLEH
I need to see a doctor today.
aujourd'hui.
IPA /ʒə dwa vwaʁ œ̃ medsɛ̃ oʒuʁdɥi/
zhuh dwa vwar ahn med-SAHN oh-zhoor-DWEE
Call an ambulance.
ambulance.
IPA /aple yn ɑ̃bylɑ̃s/
a-puh-LAY oon ahn-boo-LAHNS
SAMU (15) is the medical emergency number in France; 112 is the EU-wide emergency number. In Belgium: 112. Switzerland: 144 for medical. Quebec: 911.
This is an emergency.
C' urgence.
IPA /sɛ tyn yʁʒɑ̃s/
say toon oor-ZHAHNS
'Urgences' (plural) is also the word for A&E / ER department in a hospital.
I am pregnant.
.
IPA /ʒə sɥi ɑ̃sɛ̃t/
zhuh swee zahn-SANT
Critical to know for pharmacy and doctor interactions. 'Enceinte' is the standard term.
I am taking this medication.
medicament.
IPA /ʒə pʁɑ̃ sə medikamɑ̃/
zhuh prahn suh med-ee-ka-MAHN
Show packaging when possible. Bring a list of regular medications when travelling.
How much does this cost?
coute ?
IPA /kɔ̃bjɛ̃ sa kut/
kohm-bee-AHN sa COOT
Useful at pharmacies. EU citizens with an EHIC/GHIC card can get reimbursement for some treatments in France.
Regional notes
France
French health system is high-quality and largely state-funded. Pharmacies (look for the green cross) are abundant; pharmacists are highly trained and can recommend treatments for minor issues without a doctor visit. The SAMU (15) is the dedicated medical emergency number; 112 is the EU-wide alternative. GP visits typically cost 25-30 euros upfront, with reimbursement for residents. The 'medecin traitant' (designated GP) system means residents register with a primary doctor for the cheapest co-pay rates.
Quebec
Quebec uses the Canadian healthcare system: RAMQ-funded for residents. Tourists need travel insurance; treatment costs differ from France. Quebec pharmacies are familiar Canadian style (Jean Coutu, Pharmaprix); registered pharmacists give significant advice but have less consultation authority than French pharmacists. Emergency number is 911. The medical vocabulary is largely the same as France with some local terms (medication can be called 'medicament' or sometimes 'pilule').
Belgium
Belgian system is similar to French: state-funded, pharmacy-driven primary advice, GP visits with co-pay. Emergency is 112. Pharmacies in Brussels often have multilingual staff (French, Dutch, English). Belgian French uses 'docteur' for GP more often than France's 'medecin'.
Switzerland (French-speaking)
Swiss healthcare is private-insurance based and expensive. Pharmacy advice is high-quality. Geneva and Lausanne have many English-speaking doctors due to international populations. Emergency is 144 (medical) or 112 (universal). Travel insurance is essential for non-residents.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked
Can I get prescription medication from a French pharmacy without a French prescription?
It depends on the medication. French pharmacists can dispense a substantial range of medications OTC that require prescriptions in the UK or US. For ongoing prescriptions from your home country, bring the original packaging and a copy of the prescription; pharmacists may be able to advise on French equivalents but cannot dispense full prescriptions without a French doctor. For emergency prescription situations, see a doctor at an urgence (A&E) or a SOS Medecins service.
Does my EHIC or GHIC card work in France?
Yes for EU and UK residents. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for EU citizens and the UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) for UK residents give access to medically necessary state-provided healthcare in France at the same conditions and cost as French residents. You typically pay upfront and claim reimbursement. The card does not replace travel insurance for repatriation, private treatment, or non-emergency care.
What is the French equivalent of A&E or the emergency room?
'Les urgences' (always plural in French) is the department for emergency care. For non-emergency same-day medical needs in major cities, 'SOS Medecins' provides home visits and urgent consultations; 'Maison medicale de garde' is a same-day urgent care centre. For genuinely life-threatening situations, call SAMU (15) or 112 for an ambulance.
How do I describe pain levels in French?
The pain-scale convention is 1-10 ('sur une echelle de 1 a 10' - on a scale of 1 to 10) as in English-speaking medicine. Useful descriptors: 'aigue' (sharp), 'sourde' (dull), 'pulsatile' (throbbing), 'constante' (constant), 'intermittente' (intermittent). 'Je souffre' is a stronger statement than 'j'ai mal' - use it when you genuinely need to communicate severity.