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B1  ·  34 words

At the doctor and the chemist in French

The appointment, the symptoms, the prescription.

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From these 34 words, as many per round as you like — up to all of them: first what is due today, then new ones. First you choose, then you fill the gap, then you write it yourself. Mistakes come back again shortly.

More about this list

The list for a visit nobody plans, and its fifth entry is the word that will be read wrongly. Les troubles, in the plural and in a medical sentence, are the symptoms or the disorder: des troubles digestifs, des troubles du sommeil, des troubles de la vision. English « troubles » is difficulties, worries, political unrest — never a set of symptoms; the English is « problems », « disorder » or simply « trouble » in the singular, as in « stomach trouble ». And the French singular is different again: le trouble is confusion or unease, closer to the English sense, so the number decides which language you are in. The verb helps: troubler is to cloud, to stir up — de l’eau trouble is murky water — and the symptoms are named for the clouding, not for the worry.

The words

Verb (2)

examinerto examineVerbB1
Le médecin examine d’abord la gorge.The doctor examines the throat first.
cicatriserto heal overVerbB1
La plaie cicatrise lentement.The wound is healing over slowly.

Adjective (2)

Grammar for these: Adjective agreement · Where the adjective goes

gonfléswollenAdjectiveB1
Mon genou est gonflé depuis la chute.My knee has been swollen since the fall.
étourdidizzyAdjectiveB1
Je me sens étourdi quand je me lève trop vite.I feel dizzy when I stand up too quickly.

Phrase (19)

les heures de consultationthe surgery hoursPhraseB1
Les heures de consultation sont affichées sur la porte.The surgery hours are posted on the door.
l’accueil du cabinetthe practice receptionPhraseB1
Présentez-vous d’abord à l’accueil du cabinet.Report to the practice reception first.
obtenir un rendez-vousto get an appointmentPhraseB1
Nous avons obtenu un rendez-vous pour jeudi.We got an appointment for Thursday.
en urgenceas an emergencyPhraseB1
Elle a été reçue en urgence ce matin.She was seen as an emergency this morning.
faire malto hurtPhraseB1
Ça fait mal quand j’avale.It hurts when I swallow.
le mal de gorgethe sore throatPhraseB1
Le mal de gorge dure depuis une semaine.The sore throat has lasted a week.
la quinte de touxthe coughing fitPhraseB1
Une quinte de toux le réveille chaque nuit.A coughing fit wakes him every night.
l’éruption cutanéethe skin rashPhraseB1
L’éruption cutanée est apparue après le repas.The skin rash appeared after the meal.
avoir mal au cœurto feel sickPhraseB1
En voiture, elle a mal au cœur.She feels sick in the car.
être allergique àto be allergic toPhraseB1
Elle est allergique aux noix.She is allergic to nuts.
le bilan sanguinthe blood testPhraseB1
Le bilan sanguin est prévu pour lundi.The blood test is scheduled for Monday.
le certificat médicalthe medical certificatePhraseB1
Le certificat médical est exigé par le club.The medical certificate is required by the club.
sans ordonnanceover the counterPhraseB1
Ce sirop se vend sans ordonnance.This syrup is sold over the counter.
sur prescription médicaleon prescriptionPhraseB1
Ce produit n’est délivré que sur prescription médicale.This product is only supplied on prescription.
la notice patientthe patient information leafletPhraseB1
La notice patient tient sur trois pages.The patient information leaflet runs to three pages.
prendre un traitementto be on medicationPhraseB1
Il prend un traitement depuis le printemps.He has been on medication since the spring.
aller mieuxto feel betterPhraseB1
Je vais mieux depuis hier soir.I have been feeling better since last night.
la carte d’assurance maladiethe health insurance cardPhraseB1
La carte d’assurance maladie reste au cabinet un instant.The health insurance card stays at the practice for a moment.
adresser à un spécialisteto refer to a specialistPhraseB1
Le médecin m’adresse à un spécialiste.The doctor is referring me to a specialist.

Noun (m) (7)

Grammar for these: Definite article: le, la, les · Indefinite article: un, une

les troublesthe symptomsNoun (m)B1
Les troubles ont commencé il y a trois jours.The symptoms started three days ago.
l’antidouleurthe painkillerNoun (m)B1
Un antidouleur suffit pour la nuit.One painkiller is enough for the night.
le baumethe balmNoun (m)B1
Le baume sent fort mais soulage vite.The balm smells strong but works quickly.
les effets secondairesthe side effectsNoun (m)B1
Les effets secondaires disparaissent après deux jours.The side effects disappear after two days.
le pharmacienthe pharmacistNoun (m)B1
Le pharmacien explique la dose à voix basse.The pharmacist explains the dose in a low voice.
le remèdethe remedyNoun (m)B1
Ce remède existe depuis très longtemps.This remedy has been around for a very long time.
l’osthe boneNoun (m)B1
L’os du poignet est fêlé.The bone in the wrist is cracked.

Noun (f) (4)

Grammar for these: Definite article: le, la, les · Indefinite article: un, une

l’intolérancethe intoleranceNoun (f)B1
Une intolérance au lait explique tout.An intolerance to milk explains everything.
l’échographiethe ultrasound scanNoun (f)B1
L’échographie ne dure qu’un quart d’heure.The ultrasound scan takes only a quarter of an hour.
la pastillethe throat lozengeNoun (f)B1
Une pastille calme la gorge pendant une heure.A throat lozenge soothes the throat for an hour.
la bandethe bandageNoun (f)B1
La bande tient la cheville en place.The bandage holds the ankle in place.

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