How to see a doctor in Japanese
今日、予約は取れますか。
kyō, yoyaku wa toremasu ka.
“Can I get an appointment today?”
When: Calling a clinic reception
The moment
Your sore throat has not gone away, so you phone a small clinic near your flat to be seen today. At the visit you explain when it started and answer the doctor's questions.
A2 · Unit 3 · Daily life
The lines
Asking for a slot today
On the phone, ask whether a booking can be had: 「今日、予約は取れますか。」 取れます is the 'is it possible' form of 取る, so you are asking if anything is free.
今日、予約は取れますか。
kyō, yoyaku wa toremasu ka.
“Can I get an appointment today?”
When to use it: Calling a clinic reception
What you’ll hear back: 三時なら空いていますよ。 san ji nara aite imasu yo. (We have three o'clock free.)
Where it hurts, since when
Put the starting point first with から, then the body part: 「三日前から喉が痛いです。」 The doctor's first question is almost always 「いつからですか。」, so have this ready.
三日前から喉が痛いです。
mikka mae kara nodo ga itai desu.
“My throat has hurt for three days.”
When to use it: In the exam room
What you’ll hear back: そうですか。ちょっと喉を見せてください。 sō desu ka. chotto nodo o misete kudasai. (I see. Let me have a look at your throat.)
Words for this scene
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
| 熱が三十八度あります | netsu ga sanjūhachi-do arimasu | I have a fever of 38 degrees |
昨日の夜から熱が三十八度あります。 I've had a fever of 38 degrees since last night. Tip: Japan uses Celsius, and 37.5度 already counts as a fever. | ||
| 保険証はこれです | hokenshō wa kore desu | Here's my health insurance card |
はい、保険証はこれです。 Yes, here's my insurance card. Tip: Reception checks it again at your first visit each month. | ||
| お大事に | odaiji ni | Take care (get well soon) |
では、お大事に。ゆっくり休んでくださいね。 Well then, take care. Get plenty of rest. Tip: Staff say it as you leave; just reply ありがとうございます. | ||
Your objective
Ask for an appointment; when the first slot offered is days away, ask for something sooner, then tell the doctor where it hurts and since when.
- a sooner appointment
- where it hurts
- since when
Lines that get it done
- 三日前から喉が痛いです。
- 今日、予約は取れますか。
In the live scene the objective stays on screen, and the Replay afterwards says whether you got it done.
Check yourself
1. You phone the clinic to see if they can fit you in today. What do you say?
- 今日、予約は取れますか。
- 今日、予約は取りますか。
- 今日、予約を取れましたか。
- 今日、予約に行きますか。
Show the answer
今日、予約は取れますか。
取れますか asks whether a slot is available; 取りますか would ask if the receptionist plans to book one.
2. Your throat has hurt since three days ago. How do you say it?
- 三日前から喉が痛いです。
- 三日前まで喉が痛いです。
- 三日後から喉が痛いです。
- 三日前から喉を痛いです。
Show the answer
三日前から喉が痛いです。
から marks when it started, まで would mark when it stopped, and 痛い takes が.
3. As you leave, the doctor says 「では、お大事に。ゆっくり休んでくださいね。」 What does that mean?
- Take care, and get plenty of rest.
- Take care, and come back tomorrow.
- Get well soon, and take the medicine before meals.
- Take care, and please wait a moment.
Show the answer
Take care, and get plenty of rest.
お大事に is the standard get-well line and ゆっくり休んでください tells you to rest.