Doctor check up

Understanding a Doctor Check-Up in Polish (B1 Level)

This lesson focuses on the vocabulary and expressions commonly used during a doctor check-up, essential for everyday communication in medical situations in Polish. You will learn practical words and phrases to describe symptoms, understand doctor's questions, and discuss health issues confidently.

Key Vocabulary and Phrases

• Pacjent - patient
• Lekarz - doctor
• Badanie - examination
• Ból - pain
• Gorączka - fever
• Kaszel - cough
• Złamać rękę - to break an arm
• Przepisać lekarstwo - to prescribe medicine
• Jak się Pan/Pani czuje? - How do you feel?
• Odczuwam ból w ... - I feel pain in ...

Typical Doctor-Patient Conversation

The lesson teaches you how to understand and respond to common questions such as:

• Gdzie pani/pan ma ból? (Where do you have pain?)
• Jak długo trwa ten ból? (How long has this pain lasted?)
• Czy przyjmował(a) pan/pani jakieś leki? (Have you taken any medication?)

Grammar and Usage Highlights

You will practice using the instrumental and locative cases, which frequently appear when describing symptoms or body parts in Polish, for example:

• Boli mnie w gardle (My throat hurts).
• Mam kaszel od tygodnia (I have had a cough for a week).

Differences Between English and Polish in Medical Conversations

Polish often uses reflexive constructions and specific verb cases to indicate sensations or states, which differ from English structure. For instance, English says "I have a fever," while Polish uses "Mam gorączkę." Also, politeness forms in addressing the doctor vary: Polish uses formal "Pan/Pani" which does not have a direct English equivalent but reflects respect.

Useful expressions include:

• Na co pan/pani skarży się? - What are you complaining about?
• Proszę się rozebrać do połowy - Please undress to your waist.
• Trzeba zrobić badania - Tests need to be done.