Checking in and saying why you came are the two exchanges that start a routine visit. The desk confirms the appointment. The doctor then asks what brought you in.
For how a symptom started, changed, or eased, see describing symptoms.
Essential vocabulary for a doctor's visit
These nouns are the people, the room, and the appointment. They are not the names of illnesses or tests:
| French | English |
|---|---|
| un médecin | a doctor |
| un patient / une patiente | a patient |
| un rendez-vous | an appointment |
| la salle d'attente | the waiting room |
| un cabinet médical | a doctor's office, medical practice |
| un symptôme | a symptom |
| un examen | an examination |
| une consultation | a medical consultation |
Un cabinet médical is the office where the doctor sees patients. Une consultation is the appointment itself.
Check in for your appointment
At the desk you confirm the time, the doctor, and the name on the appointment:
| French | English |
|---|---|
| J'ai rendez-vous à 10 heures. | I have an appointment at 10 o'clock. |
| J'ai rendez-vous avec le docteur Martin. | I have an appointment with Dr. Martin. |
| Je viens pour mon rendez-vous. | I'm here for my appointment. |
| C'est à quel nom ? | What name is the appointment under? |
| C'est au nom de Taylor. | It's under the name Taylor. |
| Vous avez votre carte Vitale ? | Do you have your Carte Vitale? |
| Veuillez patienter dans la salle d'attente. | Please wait in the waiting room. |
| Le médecin va vous recevoir. | The doctor will see you. |
Docteur before a surname is the title. Un médecin is the word for the profession.
In France, the desk may ask for your carte Vitale, the health-insurance card used in the French system. Check-in documents are not the same in every French-speaking country.
Au nom de is the name on an appointment or a reservation. Hotels and restaurants use the same expression.
Give the reason for your visit
The doctor asks why you came, and you answer with the problem that brought you in:
| French | English |
|---|---|
| Qu'est-ce qui vous amène ? | What brings you in? |
| Qu'est-ce qui ne va pas ? | What's wrong? |
| Je ne me sens pas bien depuis quelques jours. | I haven't been feeling well for a few days. |
| Je viens à cause de douleurs au dos. | I'm here because of back pain. |
Qu'est-ce qui vous amène ? opens the consultation. It does not ask about one symptom.
From learning to practice
At the desk, C'est à quel nom ? is the question, and C'est au nom de plus your name is the ordinary answer. Le médecin va vous recevoir is the signal to leave the waiting room.