This guide organizes those 40 phrases by situation \u2014 from booking an appointment to describing pain, understanding a diagnosis, and handling a genuine emergency. Each phrase comes with context and an example line you can use immediately.<\/p><\/p>\n
\n\n The first moment of friction is almost always the phone call or front-desk exchange. These eight phrases get you through registration smoothly.<\/p><\/p>\n When to use it:<\/strong> Calling a clinic or hospital reception for a non-emergency visit. In Taiwan, specify general practitioner<\/em> (\u5bb6\u5ead\u91ab\u5b78\u79d1) or the specialty directly.<\/p>\n Example:<\/strong> “I’d like to make an appointment with a general practitioner \u2014 is Monday afternoon available?”<\/p><\/p>\n When to use it:<\/strong> When you have a referral slip (\u8f49\u8a3a\u55ae) from another physician, especially when moving from a clinic to a regional or teaching hospital under the NHI tiered system.<\/p>\n Example:<\/strong> “I was referred by Dr. Chen at the Xinyi clinic. I have the referral letter here.”<\/p><\/p>\n When to use it:<\/strong> Booking on behalf of a foreign colleague or when your patient’s Chinese is limited. Most NTUH and Taipei Veterans General Hospital departments can confirm English availability in advance.<\/p>\n Example:<\/strong> “Do you have an English-speaking doctor available on Friday? My colleague is visiting from the US.”<\/p><\/p>\n When to use it:<\/strong> First visit to any clinic. In Taiwan, bring your NHI card (\u5065\u4fdd\u5361) and, for foreigners, an ARC or passport.<\/p>\n Example:<\/strong> “I’d like to register as a new patient. I have my NHI card and ID ready.”<\/p><\/p>\n When to use it:<\/strong> Major hospitals including NTUH, Mackay, and Shin Kong all offer online booking. Ask this at registration to avoid future phone calls.<\/p>\n Example:<\/strong> “Can I book my follow-up appointment online, or do I need to call?”<\/p><\/p>\n When to use it:<\/strong> Walk-in situations or when arriving early to a busy OPD (\u9580\u8a3a). Taiwan hospitals display queue numbers on screens, but confirming in English saves confusion.<\/p>\n Example:<\/strong> “I just registered \u2014 how long is the wait time for the orthopedics clinic?”<\/p><\/p>\n When to use it:<\/strong> Cancelling 24+ hours ahead avoids a no-show fee at private hospitals. NHI clinics generally have no penalty but appreciate the courtesy.<\/p>\n Example:<\/strong> “I need to cancel and reschedule my appointment for Thursday. Can I move it to next week?”<\/p><\/p>\n When to use it:<\/strong> Some specialized private clinics or wellness centers operate outside the NHI system. Always confirm before booking to avoid unexpected full-price billing.<\/p>\n Example:<\/strong> “Does this clinic accept National Health Insurance, or is it private pay only?”<\/p><\/p>\n Describing pain and symptoms precisely is the most critical medical English skill. Vague answers delay diagnosis. These eight phrases give doctors exactly what they need.<\/p><\/p>\n When to use it:<\/strong> Every pain description. The four adjectives \u2014 sharp<\/em> (\u523a\u75db), dull<\/em> (\u60b6\u75db), throbbing<\/em> (\u8108\u52d5\u75db), burning<\/em> (\u707c\u75db) \u2014 map to distinct clinical meanings and change the diagnostic path.<\/p>\n Example:<\/strong> “I have a sharp pain in my lower right abdomen that started last night.”<\/p><\/p>\n When to use it:<\/strong> Duration and pattern matter as much as intensity. Intermittent pain (\u9663\u75db) vs. constant pain (\u6301\u7e8c\u75bc\u75db) suggest very different conditions.<\/p>\n Example:<\/strong> “The pain comes and goes \u2014 it’s worse after meals and usually lasts about 20 minutes.”<\/p><\/p>\n When to use it:<\/strong> Doctors universally use the numeric pain scale (NRS). Giving a number immediately helps triage and avoids the cultural tendency to understate pain.<\/p>\n Example:<\/strong> “On a scale of one to ten, the pain is about a seven \u2014 it’s hard to concentrate.”<\/p><\/p>\n When to use it:<\/strong> Duration is always the first follow-up question. Give a specific number, not “a while” or “recently.”<\/p>\n Example:<\/strong> “I’ve been feeling this way for about five days. It’s getting worse, not better.”<\/p><\/p>\n When to use it:<\/strong> Associated symptoms (\u4f34\u96a8\u75c7\u72c0) narrow the differential. Mention all of them even if they seem unrelated \u2014 let the doctor decide what’s relevant.<\/p>\n Example:<\/strong> “I also have a fever of about 38.5 and I’ve been feeling nauseated since this morning.”<\/p><\/p>\n When to use it:<\/strong> Aggravating and relieving factors are key diagnostic clues. Be specific about posture, activity, eating, or time of day.<\/p>\n Example:<\/strong> “The pain gets worse when I breathe deeply and gets better when I sit forward.”<\/p><\/p>\n When to use it:<\/strong> Critical safety phrase. State drug allergies (\u85e5\u7269\u904e\u654f) before any prescription is written. The most common ones for Taiwan patients to know in English: penicillin, aspirin, sulfa drugs, iodine contrast.<\/em><\/p>\n Example:<\/strong> “I have a known allergy to penicillin \u2014 I break out in hives.”<\/p><\/p>\n When to use it:<\/strong> Drug interactions (\u85e5\u7269\u4ea4\u4e92\u4f5c\u7528) are a leading cause of preventable harm. List all current medications, including supplements and traditional Chinese medicine (\u4e2d\u85e5).<\/p>\n Example:<\/strong> “I’m currently taking metformin for diabetes and a statin for cholesterol.”<\/p><\/p>\n Once you’re in the room with the doctor or nurse, these phrases help you participate actively in the exam rather than nodding and hoping for the best.<\/p><\/p>\n When to use it:<\/strong> During physical palpation (\u89f8\u8a3a). Confirming you understand the question avoids false positive or negative findings from miscommunication.<\/p><\/p>\n When to use it:<\/strong> Whenever a doctor uses clinical terminology. This is not a sign of weakness \u2014 it’s what informed patients do. Doctors respect it.<\/p>\n Example:<\/strong> “Could you explain that in simpler terms? I heard ‘dyspnea’ but I’m not sure what that means for me.”<\/p><\/p>\n When to use it:<\/strong> Before any lab order. Fasting requirements (\u7a7a\u8179) vary by test type, and going to the lab fed can invalidate results for lipid panels and glucose.<\/p><\/p>\n When to use it:<\/strong> Before agreeing to any scan, lab, or procedure. Some advanced imaging (MRI for non-acute cases) and certain tests are partially or fully self-pay (\u81ea\u8cbb) in Taiwan’s NHI system.<\/p><\/p>\n When to use it:<\/strong> Before signing informed consent (\u540c\u610f\u66f8). Taiwanese medical culture sometimes skips this step with local patients \u2014 asserting it in English signals you want full disclosure.<\/p><\/p>\n When to use it:<\/strong> You have a legal right to your records in Taiwan. Ask for a printed or digital copy before leaving if you plan to seek a second opinion or share with a specialist abroad.<\/p><\/p>\n When to use it:<\/strong> For respiratory illness, skin conditions, or any infection. Knowing isolation guidelines (\u9694\u96e2\u898f\u5b9a) matters both for your workplace and your NHI sick-leave paperwork.<\/p><\/p>\n When to use it:<\/strong> Always ask this before leaving. Get a specific answer \u2014 “if it’s not better in three days” is more useful than “if you feel worse.” This phrase prevents dangerous waiting.<\/p><\/p>\n When to use it:<\/strong> Immediately after hearing the diagnosis name. Clinical labels (e.g., “costochondritis,” “GERD,” “plantar fasciitis”) often need translation into practical life impact before they’re useful.<\/p><\/p>\n When to use it:<\/strong> Critical for managing expectations and planning. The answer changes how seriously you take follow-up appointments and lifestyle changes.<\/p><\/p>\n When to use it:<\/strong> When evaluating whether to proceed with a recommended treatment or take a watch-and-wait approach. Some conditions are urgent; others are not.<\/p><\/p>\n When to use it:<\/strong> For any chronic, metabolic, or musculoskeletal condition. Diet, sleep, and exercise modifications are often more effective than medication \u2014 but doctors may not volunteer this unless asked.<\/p><\/p>\n When to use it:<\/strong> Before any surgery, major treatment, or significant diagnosis. This is standard practice in Western medicine and increasingly accepted in Taiwan’s larger hospitals.<\/p><\/p>\n When to use it:<\/strong> When more than one path exists. The two-part question is important \u2014 you want to know the landscape of options and<\/em> the doctor’s clinical judgment.<\/p><\/p>\n When to use it:<\/strong> When your GP raises a concern that may need subspecialty evaluation. In Taiwan’s tiered NHI system, a GP referral to a regional hospital specialist is usually required for coverage.<\/p><\/p>\n When to use it:<\/strong> For any diagnosis name, medication name, or instruction that you need to remember or research later.<\/p><\/p>\n When to use it:<\/strong> At the pharmacy window (\u85e5\u5c40). Absorption rates vary significantly for many common drugs depending on food intake.<\/p><\/p>\n When to use it:<\/strong> For any new medication, especially antibiotics, steroids, or antihypertensives. Knowing what to expect prevents unnecessary alarm \u2014 or missed warning signs.<\/p><\/p>\n When to use it:<\/strong> For chronic condition medications. Taiwan’s NHI allows chronic disease prescription refills (\u6162\u6027\u75c5\u9023\u7e8c\u8655\u65b9\u7b8b) up to 3 months without a new visit.<\/p><\/p>\n When to use it:<\/strong> When cost is a factor. Generic drugs (\u5b78\u540d\u85e5) in Taiwan are regulated for bioequivalence and are significantly cheaper than brand-name equivalents.<\/p><\/p>\n In a genuine emergency, every second matters. Memorize these four phrases so they come out automatically under stress.<\/p><\/p>\n Taiwan’s emergency number is 119<\/strong> for ambulance and fire. Say this loudly and clearly to a bystander while pointing directly at them.<\/p><\/p>\n Naming the suspected condition at the ER triage desk (\u6025\u8a3a\u639b\u865f) gets you into the right treatment pathway immediately.<\/p><\/p>\n If you or a companion carries an EpiPen (\u814e\u4e0a\u817a\u7d20\u81ea\u52d5\u6ce8\u5c04\u5668), use this phrase to alert medical staff before they see the device, reducing response time.<\/p><\/p>\n If you have a serious pre-existing condition (diabetes, epilepsy, heart disease), carry a medical ID card or use iPhone’s Medical ID feature (accessible from the lock screen).<\/p><\/p>\nMaking Appointments \u91ab\u7642\u9810\u7d04 (8 Phrases)<\/h2>\n\n
![\"Two](\"https:\/\/18kenglish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/medical-english-taiwan-two-men-sitting-at-a-desk-talking-to-each-other-4.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n<\/p>\nPhrase 1: “I’d like to make an appointment with a general practitioner.”<\/h3>\n
Phrase 2: “I was referred by Dr. Chen.”<\/h3>\n
Phrase 3: “Do you have an English-speaking doctor available?”<\/h3>\n
Phrase 4: “I’d like to register as a new patient.”<\/h3>\n
Phrase 5: “Can I book an appointment online or through the app?”<\/h3>\n
Phrase 6: “How long is the wait time?”<\/h3>\n
Phrase 7: “I need to cancel and reschedule my appointment.”<\/h3>\n
Phrase 8: “Does this clinic accept National Health Insurance?”<\/h3>\n
Describing Symptoms \u63cf\u8ff0\u75c7\u72c0 (8 Phrases)<\/h2>\n\n
![\"black](\"https:\/\/18kenglish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/medical-english-black-and-gray-stethoscope-1.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n<\/p>\nPhrase 9: “I have a sharp \/ dull \/ throbbing \/ burning pain in my ___.”<\/h3>\n
Phrase 10: “The pain comes and goes \/ is constant.”<\/h3>\n
Phrase 11: “On a scale of one to ten, the pain is about a ___.”<\/h3>\n
Phrase 12: “I’ve been feeling this way for ___ days \/ weeks.”<\/h3>\n
Phrase 13: “I also have a fever \/ chills \/ nausea \/ fatigue.”<\/h3>\n
Phrase 14: “The pain gets worse when I ___ \/ gets better when I ___.”<\/h3>\n
Phrase 15: “I have a known allergy to ___.”<\/h3>\n
Phrase 16: “I’m currently taking ___ for ___.”<\/h3>\n
At the Clinic \/ Examination Room \u8a3a\u9593 (8 Phrases)<\/h2>\n\n
![\"Doctor](\"https:\/\/18kenglish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/medical-english-taiwan-doctor-consults-with-mother-and-child-in-office-5.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n<\/p>\nPhrase 17: “Where exactly should I feel the pain when you press here?”<\/h3>\n
Phrase 18: “Could you explain that in simpler terms?”<\/h3>\n
Phrase 19: “Do I need to fast before the blood test?”<\/h3>\n
Phrase 20: “Is this procedure covered by NHI?”<\/h3>\n
Phrase 21: “What are the risks of this procedure?”<\/h3>\n
Phrase 22: “Can I get a copy of my medical records \/ test results?”<\/h3>\n
Phrase 23: “Is this contagious? Should I stay home from work?”<\/h3>\n
Phrase 24: “When should I come back if things don’t improve?”<\/h3>\n
Understanding Your Diagnosis \u4e86\u89e3\u8a3a\u65b7 (8 Phrases)<\/h2>\n\n
![\"a](\"https:\/\/18kenglish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/medical-english-a-pair-of-glasses-2.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n<\/p>\nPhrase 25: “What does this diagnosis mean for my daily life?”<\/h3>\n
Phrase 26: “Is this condition chronic or will it resolve on its own?”<\/h3>\n
Phrase 27: “What happens if I don’t treat this?”<\/h3>\n
Phrase 28: “Are there lifestyle changes that would help?”<\/h3>\n
Phrase 29: “I’d like to get a second opinion before proceeding.”<\/h3>\n
Phrase 30: “What are the treatment options, and what do you recommend?”<\/h3>\n
Phrase 31: “Should I see a specialist for this?”<\/h3>\n
Phrase 32: “Can you write that down for me?”<\/h3>\n
Getting a Prescription \u62ff\u85e5 (4 Phrases)<\/h2>\n\n
![\"white](\"https:\/\/18kenglish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/medical-english-taiwan-white-blue-and-orange-medication-pill-7.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n<\/p>\nPhrase 33: “How should I take this \u2014 with food or on an empty stomach?”<\/h3>\n
Phrase 34: “What are the common side effects I should watch for?”<\/h3>\n
Phrase 35: “Can I refill this prescription without seeing the doctor again?”<\/h3>\n
Phrase 36: “Is there a generic version available?”<\/h3>\n
Emergency English \u7dca\u6025\u82f1\u6587 (4 Phrases)<\/h2>\n\n
![\"a](\"https:\/\/18kenglish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/medical-english-a-table-and-chairs-in-front-of-a-building-3.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n<\/p>\nPhrase 37: “Call an ambulance \u2014 this is an emergency.”<\/h3>\n
Phrase 38: “He \/ she is having a heart attack \/ stroke \/ severe allergic reaction.”<\/h3>\n
Phrase 39: “I need an EpiPen \u2014 I have a severe allergy.”<\/h3>\n
Phrase 40: “I have [condition] \u2014 please check my medical ID.”<\/h3>\n
Quick Reference: All 40 Medical English Phrases \u91ab\u7642\u82f1\u6587\u901f\u67e5\u8868<\/h2><\/p>\n
![\"a](\"https:\/\/18kenglish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/medical-english-a-very-tall-building-sitting-next-to-a-lush-green-4.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n<\/p>\n