A sick day in English: doctor, pharmacy and a moved appointment
I'm not feeling well. Can I see a doctor today?
“I feel sick. Can I see a doctor today?”
When: Calling the clinic first thing in the morning
The moment
You wake up in Manhattan with a sore throat and a fever. You call a clinic for an appointment, stop at the pharmacy for something mild on the way, and call the salon to move your haircut.
A2 · Unit 3 · Daily life · Checkpoint
This is the unit’s checkpoint: one roleplay that puts the unit’s scenes together.
The lines
Getting a same-day visit
Say you feel bad, then ask for today: "I'm not feeling well. Can I see a doctor today?" "Not feeling well" is a polite, simple way to say you are sick.
I'm not feeling well. Can I see a doctor today?
“I feel sick. Can I see a doctor today?”
When to use it: Calling the clinic first thing in the morning
What you’ll hear back: Let me check. We have an opening at two fifteen. (There is a free time at 2:15.)
Moving your haircut
Use "reschedule" and add the reason with "because": "I need to reschedule my haircut because I have a doctor's appointment." A short reason makes it friendly.
I need to reschedule my haircut because I have a doctor's appointment.
“I need to move my haircut to a different time because I have to see the doctor.”
When to use it: Calling the salon after you book the doctor
What you’ll hear back: Oh no, feel better! How about Thursday at four? (I hope you get well soon.)
Words for this scene
| Word or phrase | Say it | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| What do you recommend for a sore throat? | WUT-duh-yuh rek-uh-MEND fer-uh SORE THROHT | Which medicine is good when my throat hurts? |
I'm seeing a doctor later, but what do you recommend for a sore throat now? I have a doctor visit later, but what is good for my throat now? Tip: Throat lozenges and cough drops are near the pharmacy counter. | ||
| I have a fever and my throat hurts. | ai HAV-uh FEE-ver an mai THROHT HERTS | My body is hot and it hurts when I swallow. |
I have a fever and my throat hurts. It started last night. I am hot and my throat hurts. It began last night. Tip: Americans measure fever in Fahrenheit; 100.4 degrees counts as a fever. | ||
| Does Thursday work for you? | duz THERZ-day WERK fer-yuh | Is Thursday a good day for you? |
I can't come tomorrow. Does Thursday work for you? I'm not able to come tomorrow. Is Thursday okay for you? Tip: Offering a new day yourself sounds polite and saves time. | ||
Your objective
Get a doctor’s appointment for today, ask the pharmacist for something mild, and move your haircut to another day.
- an appointment today
- something mild
- a new day for the haircut
Lines that get it done
- I need to reschedule my haircut because I have a doctor's appointment.
- I'm not feeling well. Can I see a doctor today?
In the live scene the objective stays on screen, and the Replay afterwards says whether you got it done.
Check yourself
1. You call the clinic in the morning and want to go today. What do you say?
- I'm not feeling well. Can I see a doctor today?
- I'm not feeling good. Can I watch a doctor today?
- I don't feel me well. Can I see a doctor today?
- I'm not well feeling. Can I meet the doctor today?
Show the answer
I'm not feeling well. Can I see a doctor today?
"I'm not feeling well" is the natural phrase, and you "see" a doctor.
2. At the pharmacy you want something mild before your appointment. What do you ask?
- What do you recommend for a sore throat?
- What do you recommend to a sore throat?
- What recommend you for a sore throat?
- What is recommend for my throat sore?
Show the answer
What do you recommend for a sore throat?
Use "What do you recommend for" plus the problem.
3. The salon says: "Oh no, feel better!" What do they mean?
- They hope you get well soon.
- They think you should feel your hair.
- They want you to come in today.
- They are asking how you feel.
Show the answer
They hope you get well soon.
"Feel better!" is a kind thing Americans say to someone who is sick.