Visiting a doctor can be a stressful experience, especially when you are in a foreign country and do not speak the language fluently. For those traveling or living in Greece, knowing some essential medical vocabulary can make a significant difference. This article aims to provide you with a comprehensive guide to Greek medical vocabulary that you might need when visiting a doctor. Whether you are dealing with a minor ailment or a more serious health issue, being able to communicate effectively will make your visit smoother and less stressful.
Basic Medical Vocabulary
Before diving into specific phrases and terms, it’s important to get familiar with some basic medical vocabulary. Here are some essential words that you will likely encounter during a visit to the doctor in Greece:
– **Doctor**: ιατρός (iatrós)
– **Nurse**: νοσοκόμα (nosokóma)
– **Patient**: ασθενής (asthenís)
– **Hospital**: νοσοκομείο (nosokomío)
– **Clinic**: κλινική (kliníkí)
– **Pharmacy**: φαρμακείο (farmakío)
– **Medicine**: φάρμακο (fármako)
– **Prescription**: συνταγή (syntagí)
– **Appointment**: ραντεβού (rantevó)
Describing Symptoms
When you visit a doctor, describing your symptoms accurately is crucial. Here are some phrases and words that will help you convey how you are feeling:
– **Pain**: πόνος (pónos)
– “I have pain” – Έχω πόνο (Écho póno)
– **Headache**: πονοκέφαλος (ponokéfalos)
– **Fever**: πυρετός (pyretós)
– **Cough**: βήχας (víchas)
– **Sore throat**: πονόλαιμος (ponólai̱mos)
– **Stomach ache**: στομαχόπονος (stomachóponos)
– **Nausea**: ναυτία (naftía)
– **Dizziness**: ζάλη (záli)
– **Fatigue**: κόπωση (kóposi)
Common Medical Conditions
Being able to explain your medical history or any chronic conditions you might have is also important. Here are some common medical conditions translated into Greek:
– **Diabetes**: διαβήτης (diavítis)
– **Asthma**: άσθμα (ás̱thma)
– **Allergy**: αλλεργία (allergía)
– **High blood pressure**: υψηλή αρτηριακή πίεση (ypsilí artiriakí píesi)
– **Heart disease**: καρδιοπάθεια (kardiopátheia)
– **Arthritis**: αρθρίτιδα (arthrítida)
– **Infection**: μόλυνση (mólinsi)
Questions the Doctor Might Ask
Understanding what the doctor is asking can help you respond more accurately. Here are some common questions a doctor might ask and their translations:
– **Where does it hurt?** – Πού πονάει; (Poú ponái?)
– **How long have you had these symptoms?** – Πόσο καιρό έχετε αυτά τα συμπτώματα; (Póso kairó échete aftá ta symtómata?)
– **Are you taking any medication?** – Παίρνετε κάποια φάρμακα; (Pérnete kápoia fármaka?)
– **Do you have any allergies?** – Έχετε αλλεργίες; (Échete allergíes?)
– **Have you had any surgeries?** – Έχετε κάνει εγχειρήσεις; (Échete káni enchirísis?)
Communicating Your Needs
When you are at the doctor’s office, you might need to ask for specific things or express your needs. Here are some useful phrases:
– **I need a prescription** – Χρειάζομαι συνταγή (Chreiázome syntagí)
– **Can you please speak slowly?** – Μπορείτε να μιλάτε αργά παρακαλώ; (Boríte na miláte argá parakaló?)
– **I don’t understand** – Δεν καταλαβαίνω (Den katalavéno)
– **Can you explain that again?** – Μπορείτε να το εξηγήσετε ξανά; (Boríte na to exiyísete xaná?)
– **I need a translator** – Χρειάζομαι διερμηνέα (Chreiázome dierminéa)
Emergency Situations
In case of an emergency, knowing how to communicate effectively can be life-saving. Here are some phrases that might be useful in an emergency situation:
– **Help!** – Βοήθεια! (Voítheia!)
– **Call an ambulance!** – Καλέστε ασθενοφόρο! (Kaléste asthenofóro!)
– **I am having a heart attack** – Έχω καρδιακή προσβολή (Écho kardiakí prosvolí)
– **I can’t breathe** – Δεν μπορώ να αναπνεύσω (Den boró na anapnéfso)
– **I am in severe pain** – Έχω έντονο πόνο (Écho éntono póno)
Emergency Numbers in Greece
– **Ambulance**: 166
– **Police**: 100
– **Fire Brigade**: 199
At the Pharmacy
After visiting the doctor, you might need to go to a pharmacy to get your medication. Here are some phrases and terms that can help you at the pharmacy:
– **Pharmacist**: φαρμακοποιός (farmakopoiós)
– **Prescription**: συνταγή (syntagí)
– **Over-the-counter medicine**: φάρμακο χωρίς συνταγή (fármako chorís syntagí)
– **Pain reliever**: παυσίπονο (pafsípono)
– **Antibiotic**: αντιβιοτικό (antiviotikó)
– **Side effects**: παρενέργειες (parenéryies)
– **Dosage**: δόση (dósi)
Useful Phrases at the Pharmacy
– **I need this prescription filled** – Χρειάζομαι αυτή τη συνταγή (Chreiázome aftí ti syntagí)
– **Do you have something for a headache?** – Έχετε κάτι για πονοκέφαλο; (Échete káti ya ponokéfalo?)
– **How often should I take this?** – Πόσο συχνά πρέπει να το παίρνω; (Póso sychná prépei na to pérno?)
– **Are there any side effects?** – Υπάρχουν παρενέργειες; (Ypárchoun parenéryies?)
– **Can I take this with food?** – Μπορώ να το πάρω με φαγητό; (Boró na to páro me fayitó?)
Conclusion
Visiting a doctor in a foreign country can be daunting, but having the right vocabulary can make the experience much less stressful. This guide provides a comprehensive set of Greek medical terms and phrases that can help you navigate your healthcare needs while in Greece. Remember, it’s always a good idea to write down any specific medical terms or phrases you might need before your appointment. With a little preparation, you can ensure that you can communicate effectively and get the care you need. Safe travels and take care of your health!
