Why Learn Health Vocabulary?
Knowing how to talk about your health in English is essential — especially if you travel, live abroad, or need to visit a doctor in an English-speaking country. Being able to describe your symptoms clearly can make the difference between getting the right help and being misunderstood.
Body Parts
Head and Face
| Body Part | Where It Is |
|---|---|
| head | the top of your body |
| face | the front of your head |
| forehead | above your eyes |
| eye(s) | you see with these |
| ear(s) | you hear with these |
| nose | you breathe and smell with this |
| mouth | you eat and speak with this |
| teeth (singular: tooth) | inside your mouth |
| tongue | inside your mouth, for tasting |
| chin | below your mouth |
| neck | connects your head to your body |
Upper Body
| Body Part | Where It Is |
|---|---|
| shoulder(s) | top of your arms |
| chest | the front of your upper body |
| back | the opposite side of your chest |
| arm(s) | between your shoulder and hand |
| elbow | the middle of your arm (where it bends) |
| wrist | where your hand meets your arm |
| hand(s) | at the end of your arms |
| finger(s) | five on each hand |
| thumb | the short, thick finger |
Lower Body
| Body Part | Where It Is |
|---|---|
| stomach / tummy | in the middle of your body |
| hip(s) | where your legs connect to your body |
| leg(s) | between your hip and foot |
| thigh | upper part of the leg |
| knee(s) | the middle of your leg (where it bends) |
| ankle | where your foot meets your leg |
| foot (plural: feet) | you stand and walk on these |
| toe(s) | five on each foot |
Inside the Body
| Body Part | Function |
|---|---|
| heart | pumps blood |
| lungs | you breathe with these |
| brain | you think with this |
| bones | the hard structure inside your body |
| muscles | help you move |
| skin | covers your whole body |
Describing Symptoms
How to Say What's Wrong
Use these patterns:
- "I have a headache / a cold / a fever / a cough."
- "I have a sore throat / a sore back."
- "My (body part) hurts." — "My stomach hurts."
- "I feel dizzy / nauseous / tired / weak."
- "I can't sleep / breathe properly / move my arm."
- "I've been coughing / sneezing for three days."
- "It hurts when I swallow / walk / bend my knee."
Common Health Problems
| Problem | Symptoms | You might say... |
|---|---|---|
| cold | runny nose, sneezing, sore throat | "I think I have a cold. My nose is runny and my throat is sore." |
| flu (influenza) | fever, body aches, extreme tiredness | "I've had a high fever and my whole body aches." |
| headache | pain in the head | "I've had a terrible headache since this morning." |
| stomachache | pain in the stomach | "My stomach really hurts. I think I ate something bad." |
| backache | pain in the back | "My lower back has been hurting for a week." |
| allergy | sneezing, itchy eyes, rash | "I'm allergic to pollen. My eyes are itchy and I keep sneezing." |
| sprain | pain and swelling in a joint | "I think I sprained my ankle. It's swollen and I can't walk properly." |
| insomnia | can't sleep | "I haven't been sleeping well. I lie awake for hours." |
At the Doctor's Office
What the Doctor May Say
- "What seems to be the problem?"
- "How long have you had this?"
- "Where exactly does it hurt?"
- "Are you allergic to any medication?"
- "Are you taking any medication at the moment?"
- "I'd like to examine you."
- "I'm going to take your blood pressure / temperature."
- "You need to take antibiotics / painkillers."
- "You should rest for a few days."
- "I'll write you a prescription."
What You May Need to Say
- "I've been feeling unwell for three days."
- "The pain is sharp / dull / constant / on and off."
- "It started last Monday / after I exercised."
- "I'm allergic to penicillin."
- "I'm taking medication for high blood pressure."
- "I think I need to see a specialist."
- "How many times a day should I take this medicine?"
At the Pharmacy
| You say... | Meaning |
|---|---|
| "Do I need a prescription for this?" | Some medicines need a doctor's note |
| "What can I take for a headache?" | Asking for over-the-counter medicine |
| "Are there any side effects?" | Possible negative reactions |
| "How often should I take this?" | Dosage instructions |
| "Can I take this with other medication?" | Checking for drug interactions |
Giving Health Advice
Use should / shouldn't for advice:
- "You should see a doctor."
- "You should drink lots of water."
- "You shouldn't go to work if you have a fever."
- "You should get more sleep."
Use had better for stronger advice:
- "You'd better go to the hospital — that cut looks deep."
- "You'd better not eat that if you're allergic to nuts."
Use Why don't you...? for friendly suggestions:
- "Why don't you take some paracetamol?"
- "Why don't you lie down for a bit?"
Example Dialogue: At the Doctor
Doctor: Good morning. What seems to be the problem? Patient: Good morning. I've had a bad cough and a sore throat for about a week. I also feel very tired. Doctor: Do you have a fever? Patient: Yes, I've had a slight fever — around 37.8 degrees. Doctor: Any other symptoms? Headache, body aches? Patient: Yes, my muscles ache, especially my back. Doctor: It sounds like you might have the flu. Are you allergic to any medication? Patient: No, I'm not allergic to anything. Doctor: I'll write you a prescription for some medication. Take it twice a day with food. You should rest at home for a few days and drink plenty of fluids. Patient: Thank you. How long before I feel better? Doctor: You should start feeling better in about five to seven days. If the fever gets worse, come back and see me.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: "I am headache" instead of "I have a headache"
- Wrong: I am headache.
- Correct: I have a headache.
Mistake 2: Confusing "ache" and "pain"
- Ache = a continuous, dull pain (headache, stomachache, backache)
- Pain = a more general word, can be sharp or dull ("I have a pain in my chest.")
Mistake 3: "I am ill since Monday" — forgetting present perfect
- Wrong: I am ill since Monday.
- Correct: I have been ill since Monday.
Mistake 4: "receipt" vs. "prescription" vs. "recipe"
- Receipt = proof of payment (from a shop)
- Prescription = a doctor's note for medicine
- Recipe = cooking instructions
Practice Tips
- Label a picture of the body in English from memory, then check how many you got right.
- Role-play a doctor visit with a partner. One person describes symptoms, the other asks questions and gives advice.
- Learn the names of medicines you use regularly in English.
- Write a short paragraph describing the last time you were sick — what happened, what you felt, and what you did.