Knowing how to talk about your health is one of the most practical skills you can learn in any language. This vocabulary list covers the essential Spanish words you'll need if you get sick, need to visit a pharmacy, or have to explain how you're feeling to a doctor. Whether you have a simple headache or need to describe more specific symptoms, these words will give you the confidence to handle health-related situations while traveling or living in a Spanish-speaking country. We've focused on high-frequency, practical terms used throughout Latin America. You'll notice many cognates—words that look and mean the same thing in English—like 'hospital', 'doctor', and 'alergia'. This makes learning them much easier. We'll start with people and places, move on to common symptoms and illnesses, and finish with treatments and actions. Pay close attention to phrases like 'me duele...' (it hurts...) and 'tengo...' (I have...), which are fundamental for describing what's wrong. While most of these terms are standard, remember that 'medicina' is common for medicine in general, while 'medicamento' is also widely used, especially in more formal contexts or at a pharmacy. With this list, you'll be well-prepared for everyday health conversations.
doctor
Necesito hacer una cita con la doctora Ramírez. — I need to make an appointment with Dr. Ramírez.
patient
El doctor está con un paciente ahora, por favor espere. — The doctor is with a patient now, please wait.
hospital
Mi abuelo estuvo en el hospital la semana pasada, pero ya está mejor. — My grandfather was in the hospital last week, but he's better now.
clinic
Voy a la clínica para un chequeo general. — I'm going to the clinic for a general check-up.
pharmacy
Voy a la farmacia a comprar aspirinas. — I'm going to the pharmacy to buy aspirin.
(doctor's) appointment
Tengo una cita médica el martes a las diez de la mañana. — I have a doctor's appointment on Tuesday at ten in the morning.
emergency
Si es una emergencia, llama al 911. — If it's an emergency, call 911.
ambulance
La ambulancia llegó muy rápido al lugar del accidente. — The ambulance arrived very quickly at the scene of the accident.
to feel
Hoy no me siento bien, creo que estoy enfermo. — I don't feel well today, I think I'm sick.
sick
Mi hijo no fue a la escuela porque está enfermo. — My son didn't go to school because he is sick.
healthy
Como muchas frutas y verduras para estar sano. — I eat a lot of fruits and vegetables to be healthy.
pain
Tengo un dolor fuerte en la espalda. — I have a strong pain in my back.
to hurt
¿Te duele la cabeza? — Does your head hurt?
better
Tomé la medicina y ahora me siento mucho mejor. — I took the medicine and now I feel much better.
headache
Después de trabajar todo el día en la computadora, tengo dolor de cabeza. — After working all day on the computer, I have a headache.
stomachache
Comí demasiado y ahora tengo dolor de estómago. — I ate too much and now I have a stomachache.
throat
Me duele la garganta cuando hablo. — My throat hurts when I talk.
fever
El niño tiene fiebre, necesita descansar. — The child has a fever, he needs to rest.
cough
Tengo mucha tos por la noche. — I have a bad cough at night.
a cold
Creo que tengo un resfriado, no me siento bien. — I think I have a cold, I don't feel well.
the flu
La gripe es más fuerte que un resfriado. — The flu is stronger than a cold.
allergy
Tengo alergia al polen en la primavera. — I have an allergy to pollen in the spring.
wound, injury
Limpia la herida con agua y jabón. — Clean the wound with soap and water.
blood
Me corté el dedo y salió un poco de sangre. — I cut my finger and a little blood came out.
prescription
El doctor me dio una receta para la infección. — The doctor gave me a prescription for the infection.
medicine
¿Dónde puedo comprar este medicamento? — Where can I buy this medicine?
pill, tablet
Debes tomar una pastilla cada ocho horas. — You should take one pill every eight hours.
syrup (cough syrup)
Este jarabe para la tos sabe horrible. — This cough syrup tastes horrible.
to take (medicine)
No olvides tomar tu medicina después del desayuno. — Don't forget to take your medicine after breakfast.
injection, shot
La enfermera me va a poner una inyección. — The nurse is going to give me a shot.