Getting sick while traveling or living in China can be stressful—especially if you‘re not confident in your Chinese. From explaining your symptoms to buying medicine or asking for rest at work, knowing the right phrases can make all the difference.
Here‘s a guide to help you navigate real-life health situations smoothly, without feeling lost or anxious.
1. Describing Your Symptoms
When visiting a doctor or clinic, it‘s important to describe how you feel clearly. Use simple phrases to make sure you‘re understood.
Useful Phrases:
Wǒ gǎn mào le.
我感冒了。
I have a cold.
Wǒ fā shāo le.
我发烧了。
I have a fever.
Wǒ tóu téng.
我头疼。
I have a headache.
Wǒ dù zi tòng.
我肚子痛。
I have a stomachache.
Wǒ hěn kùn, méi jīng shén.
我很困，没精神。
I feel tired and have no energy.
2. Visiting the Doctor
At the hospital or clinic, you may need to explain when your illness started or ask for medicine. Doctors in China are used to quick conversations, so short sentences are perfectly fine.
Useful Phrases:
Wǒ zuó tiān kāi shǐ tóu téng, jīn tiān yòu fā shāo.
我昨天开始头疼，今天又发烧。
Yesterday I started having a headache, and today I also have a fever.
Qǐng gěi wǒ kāi yī xiē yào.
请给我开一些药。
Please prescribe me some medicine.
Wǒ xū yào yī zhāng bìng jià tiáo.
我需要一张病假条。
I need a doctor‘s note for sick leave.
3.Buying Medicine at the Pharmacy
Sometimes you don’t need a hospital — just a trip to the yào diàn (药店, pharmacy). Pharmacists may ask about your symptoms before recommending medicine.
Useful Phrases:
Wǒ yào mǎi gǎn mào yào.
我要买感冒药。
I want to buy cold medicine.
Yǒu méi yǒu zhǐ ké yào?
有没有止咳药？
Do you have cough medicine?
Qǐng wèn nǐ men yǒu tuì shāo yào ma?
请问你们有退烧药吗？
Excuse me, do you have any fever-reducing medicine?
Zhè ge yào yī tiān chī jǐ cì?
这个药一天吃几次？
How many times a day should I take this medicine?
Duō shǎo qián?
多少钱？
How much is it?
4.Asking for Sick Leave
Whether for school or work, asking for time off is sometimes unavoidable. Polite, simple requests work best.
Useful Phrases:
Duì bu qǐ, wǒ bù shū fu, yào qǐng bìng jià.
对不起，我不舒服，要请病假。
Sorry, I’m not feeling well, I need to take sick leave.
Wǒ yào qǐng liǎng tiān bìng jià.
我要请两天病假。
I need to take two days of sick leave.
5.Everyday Health Conversations
Even outside hospitals, you may want to talk casually about health with friends, colleagues, or family.
Useful Phrases:
Nǐ yào duō hē shuǐ.
你要多喝水。
You should drink more water.
Nǐ gǎn mào le ma?
你感冒了吗？
Do you have a cold?
Duō xiū xi, bié tài lèi.
多休息，别太累。
Rest more; don‘t overwork.
Stay Healthy and Speak Chinese Like a Local
Dealing with sickness in China doesn’t have to be stressful. With the right phrases, tone, and cultural awareness, you can navigate clinics, pharmacies, and work situations confidently. Each phrase is not just words—it‘s a glimpse into how Chinese people talk about health and show care for each other.
At eChineseLearning, our native teachers don‘t just teach textbook Mandarin—they guide you through real-life situations. From explaining symptoms at a clinic to buying medicine or asking for sick leave, you’ll be ready for any scenario.
Try a free 1-on-1 trial lesson with a live Chinese teacher today, and start speaking about health in Chinese like a local.
Quiz: If you say “Wǒ yào mǎi gǎn mào yào” (我要买感冒药), where are you most likely to be?
A. At a restaurant
B. At a pharmacy
C. At the doctor‘s office
