Emergency: 119
AMDA-IMIC

US Medical Phrasebook

Key phrases for 12 common US healthcare situations — reception, symptoms, pharmacy, emergency, and billing — in English, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Filipino, Thai, Vietnamese, and Japanese.

Communicating effectively in a US healthcare setting requires specific vocabulary that may not be covered by general language learning. This phrasebook covers 12 of the most common situations where language barriers create confusion or delay in care — from checking in at the front desk to disputing a bill. Each scenario page provides 20 or more key phrases in English plus eight languages.

How to use these pages: English is always shown. Click any language button to add that language's column to the table. Click All to show all eight languages at once. On a phone, the table scrolls horizontally. Each scenario page also includes a short introduction on US-specific etiquette for that situation and a glossary of key terms.

Remember: under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, you are entitled to a free qualified medical interpreter at any facility receiving federal funding. Phrasebooks are a useful supplement but are not a replacement for a professional interpreter for clinical conversations. See the Interpreter Rights and Language Access guide for details on how to request one.

12 Phrasebook Scenarios

At the Reception Desk
Checking in, verifying insurance, asking about wait times.
Describing Pain and Symptoms
Pain location, intensity (0-10 scale), duration, and character.
Allergies and Medical Conditions
Reporting allergies, chronic conditions, and prior surgeries.
Medications
Listing current medications, dosages, and frequency.
At the Pharmacy
Picking up prescriptions, asking about generics, side effects.
Emergency — Calling 911
Reporting an emergency, describing the situation to a dispatcher.
Hospital Admission
Consent forms, understanding admission paperwork, asking about insurance.
Maternity and Obstetrics
Prenatal visits, labor, delivery, and postpartum care phrases.
Pediatrics
Well-child visits, vaccines, describing a child's symptoms.
Dental Office
Describing tooth pain, asking about procedures and X-rays.
Mental Health Appointments
Describing mood, anxiety, or crisis; asking for referrals.
Insurance and Billing Desk
Asking for itemized bills, requesting financial assistance applications.

Last reviewed: September 2026