Introduction
This article teaches 30 essential Brazilian Portuguese phrases for conversations at the doctor’s office. Designed for complete beginners, it explains meaning, pronunciation tips, and simple dialogues to help you communicate basic symptoms, ask questions, and understand instructions during medical visits in Brazil.
Why these phrases matter
Visiting a doctor in a country where you are still learning the language can be stressful. Knowing key phrases helps you describe symptoms, understand recommendations, and feel more confident. The expressions below focus on clarity and simplicity so you can be understood quickly.
How to read the Portuguese examples
All Portuguese words and example sentences are in Brazilian Portuguese. The first time a main phrase appears it is highlighted in bold. Later repetitions use italic when natural. English explanations and pronunciation tips follow each example.
30 essential phrases for the doctor’s office
1. Olá, tudo bem? — A polite greeting used when entering the clinic. Pronunciation: oh-LAH, TOO-doo baym? Means hello, how are you?
2. Tenho uma consulta. — I have an appointment. Pronunciation: TEH-nyoo OO-mah kon-SOOL-tah. Use this at reception.
3. Meu nome é… — My name is… Pronunciation: MAY-oo NOH-mee eh… Fill in your name.
4. Estou com dor. — I have pain. Pronunciation: ess-TOH kon DOHR. Add location: Estou com dor no peito.
5. Estou com febre. — I have a fever. Pronunciation: ess-TOH kon FAY-breh. Useful for describing elevated temperature.
6. Estou com náusea. — I feel nauseous. Pronunciation: ess-TOH kon NOW-zeh-ah. A common symptom phrase.
7. Estou com tosse. — I have a cough. Pronunciation: ess-TOH kon TOH-see.
8. Estou com dificuldade para respirar. — I have difficulty breathing. Pronunciation: ess-TOH kon jee-fee-KOOL-dah-jee PAH-rah heh-spee-RAHR. Important for urgent situations.
9. Onde dói? — Where does it hurt? Pronunciation: OHn-jee DOY? A question the doctor may ask; helpful to listen for.
10. Dói aqui. — It hurts here. Pronunciation: DOY ah-KEE. Point to the location while saying it.
11. Há quanto tempo? — How long have you had it? Pronunciation: AH KWAN-toh TEM-poh. Useful when describing symptom duration.
12. Desde ontem. — Since yesterday. Pronunciation: DEZ-jee OHN-chee. Simple time phrases help the doctor understand onset.
13. Há três dias. — For three days. Pronunciation: AH TREH-ees DEE-ahs.
14. Você tem alergias? — Do you have allergies? Pronunciation: voh-SEH tem ah-LEHR-zhee-ahs? The doctor may ask this; know common answers.
15. Sim, sou alérgico(a) a… — Yes, I am allergic to… Pronunciation: seem, soh ah-LEHR-zhee-koh/ah ah… Add the substance.
16. Não tomo remédio regularmente. — I do not take medicine regularly. Pronunciation: now TOH-moh heh-MEH-jee-oh heh-goo-lahr-men-chee. Use when describing medication habits.
17. Preciso de receita. — I need a prescription. Pronunciation: preh-SEE-zoo jee heh-seh-EE-tah. Say this at pharmacy or when requesting medicine instructions.
18. Como devo tomar este medicamento? — How should I take this medication? Pronunciation: KOH-moo DEH-voh toh-MAHR EES-chee meh-dee-kah-MEHN-toh. Follow with dose questions.
19. Qual é a dose? — What is the dose? Pronunciation: KWAHL eh ah DOH-zee. Useful for clarity.
20. Posso dirigir? — Can I drive? Pronunciation: POH-soh jee-zhee-REER? Ask if medication or condition affects driving.
21. Preciso de atestado médico. — I need a medical note. Pronunciation: preh-SEE-zoo jee ah-tesh-TAH-doo MEH-jee-koh. Common for work or school absence.
22. Tenho histórico de… — I have a history of… Pronunciation: TEH-nyoo hees-TOH-ree-koh jee… Useful to mention chronic conditions.
23. Vou medir sua pressão. — I will take your blood pressure. Pronunciation: VOH mee-DEER SOO-ah preh-SOWN. A typical announcement by staff.
24. Pode tirar a roupa até a cintura? — Can you take off your clothes to the waist? Pronunciation: POH-jee chee-RAHR ah HOH-pah AH-teh ah seen-TOO-rah? A practical instruction during exams.
25. Respire fundo, por favor. — Breathe deeply, please. Pronunciation: hehs-PEE-reh FOON-doh, por fah-VOHR. A common instruction during lung exams.
26. Abra a boca, por favor. — Open your mouth, please. Pronunciation: AH-brah ah MOH-kah, por fah-VOHR. Used in throat and oral checks.
27. Vou solicitar um exame. — I will order a test. Pronunciation: VOH soh-lee-see-TAHR oom eh-ZAH-meh. The doctor may say this to request blood work or imaging.
28. Marque uma volta em duas semanas. — Schedule a follow-up in two weeks. Pronunciation: MAR-keh OO-mah VOL-tah em DOO-ahs seh-MAH-nahs. Helpful phrase for appointments.
29. Está melhorando? — Is it getting better? Pronunciation: ess-TAH meh-lyoh-RAHN-doo? A question the doctor might ask at follow-up.
30. Obrigado(a) pela ajuda. — Thank you for your help. Pronunciation: oh-bree-GAH-doh/ah PEH-lah ah-ZHOO-dah. Polite closing phrase; gender match for obrigado/obrigada.
Short beginner dialogues
At reception
Recepcionista: Bom dia, tem consulta?
Paciente: Sim, tenho uma consulta às 10h. Meu nome é Maria.
Recepcionista: Tudo certo. Pode aguardar na sala de espera.
With the doctor
Médico: O que aconteceu?
Paciente: Estou com dor no estômago desde ontem.
Médico: Vou examinar. Respire fundo, por favor.
Pronunciation and communication tips
Speak slowly and clearly. Use simple sentence structure: subject + verb + place/time. Pointing to the body while saying doe aqui helps. If you do not understand, say eu não entendi — I did not understand — and ask the doctor to repeat more slowly: pode repetir, por favor?
Always confirm medications and dosages by repeating them out loud: Eu devo tomar duas vezes por dia? Repeating reduces mistakes.
Common beginner mistakes
Mixing gender forms can confuse listeners. For example, use obrigado if you identify as male and obrigada if you identify as female. Do not drop prepositions; desde ontem means since yesterday, while saying only ontem means yesterday without duration.
Avoid literal translations of English phrases. Instead of saying I have a pain in my stomach, use estou com dor no estômago, which is natural in Brazilian Portuguese.
Useful vocabulary (single words)
Consulta — appointment
Médico — doctor
Enfermeiro / Enfermeira — nurse
Clínica — clinic
Hospital — hospital
Remédio — medicine
Receita — prescription
Exame — test, exam
Pressão — blood pressure
Febre — fever
Safety and cultural notes
Brazilian health professionals expect polite, brief communication during consultations. Bring identification and your health card if available. When describing symptoms, be honest and concise. If you need more time to explain, say preciso de mais tempo para explicar and ask for the doctor to listen.
Conclusion
Learning these 30 Brazilian Portuguese phrases prepares you for common situations at a doctor’s office. Practice the short dialogues, memorize key vocabulary, and use simple repetition to confirm instructions. With these tools you will feel more confident in medical settings while learning the language step by step.
