At the Doctor's — Easy English Conversation

Transcript

A: Hello, and welcome to the Recursio English Podcast. Today: going to the doctor.

B: You’ll learn how to say that you feel unwell, make an appointment, describe your symptoms, and talk about getting better.

A: Listen for these phrases: to feel under the weather, to catch a cold, symptoms, to make an appointment, a sore throat, to have a fever, to get a prescription, to take medicine, to get some rest, to call in sick, and to get better.

B: After the conversation, we’ll do a short review together, so you can check what you remember.

A: You can practice today’s phrases in Recursio — the link is in the description.

B: Let’s start at the beginning — you wake up, and you don’t feel great.

Feeling unwell

A: So, I wake up, and I don’t feel well. But I’m not very sick. How do I say that?

B: There’s a lovely phrase for that: “I feel under the weather.”

A: “To feel under the weather.” So it means I feel a little sick, but not terrible.

B: Exactly. “I’m not going out tonight — I feel a bit under the weather.”

A: I like that one. It’s soft and polite. You don’t have to explain everything.

B: Right. It’s perfect for work: “I’m feeling under the weather today, so I’ll stay home.”

A: And if a friend asks how I am?

B: You can say, “I’m not feeling great today,” or “I’m a bit off today.” Both are natural and easy.

A: And what if it’s a normal cold?

B: Then you say, “I’ve caught a cold,” or “I have a cold.” To catch a cold means to get a cold from somewhere.

A: “To catch a cold.” For example, “I caught a cold on the plane.”

B: Very common in winter! And when the doctor asks what’s wrong, they ask about your symptoms.

A: “Symptoms.” So symptoms are the signs of the illness — the things you feel.

B: Exactly. A cough, a headache, a sore throat — these are all symptoms.

A: That’s a useful word. “What are your symptoms?” “My symptoms are a cough and a headache.”

B: Perfect English.

A: And the doctor might ask, “How long have you had these symptoms?”

B: Good question. And you answer, “For three days,” or “Since Monday.”

A: “For” and “since” — those little words are so useful here.

B: They are. “For three days” is a length of time. “Since Monday” is a starting point.

Making an appointment

A: Okay. I feel worse, so I decide to see a doctor. What do I do first?

B: You make an appointment. To make an appointment means to arrange a time to see the doctor.

A: “To make an appointment.” So I call the clinic, or I book online.

B: Right. On the phone you can say: “Hello, I’d like to make an appointment, please.”

A: Simple. And they’ll ask when I can come.

B: Yes. They might say, “Can you come in at four o’clock today?” And you say, “Yes, that works,” or, “Do you have anything tomorrow morning?”

A: Good to know. And if I feel really bad?

B: Then you can say, “It’s quite urgent.” The clinic will try to find an earlier time for you.

A: That’s an important word — “urgent.” It means it can’t wait.

B: Exactly.

A: And what if there’s nothing free today?

B: The receptionist might say, “I’m sorry, we’re fully booked today. Can you come tomorrow at nine?”

A: “Fully booked.” So there are no free times left.

B: Right. And you can always ask, “Do you have anything earlier?” It never hurts to ask.

A: Can we hear the whole phone call, quickly?

B: Sure. “Good morning, Green Street Clinic.” — “Hello, I’d like to make an appointment, please.” — “Of course. What’s the problem?” — “I have a sore throat and a fever.” — “Can you come in at four?” — “Yes, that’s perfect. Thank you.”

A: That’s the whole thing! Short and simple.

B: Exactly. A few lines, and you’re done.

A: And if you want to remember these phrases, save them in Recursio, and it will bring them back before you forget.

B: Good tip. Okay — it’s four o’clock. Let’s go into the doctor’s office.

At the doctor’s office

A: So I sit down, and the doctor looks at me. What do they usually say first?

B: Very often: “What seems to be the problem?” It’s a gentle way to ask why you came.

A: “What seems to be the problem?” That’s softer than “What’s wrong with you?”

B: Much softer. It sounds polite and professional. And then you describe how you feel.

A: Okay. Let’s say my throat hurts. How do I say that?

B: You say, “I have a sore throat.” Sore means painful, so a sore throat is a painful throat.

A: “I have a sore throat.” And I can use “sore” for other places too?

B: Yes — “sore muscles,” “a sore back,” “sore eyes.” It’s a very useful little word.

A: What about other common problems? A headache, for example.

B: You say, “I have a headache.” Or, “I have a stomach ache.” We use “ache” for a dull, long pain.

A: “A headache,” “a stomach ache,” “a backache.” And a cough?

B: “I have a cough.” Or, “I’ve been coughing all night.” Very common in winter.

A: Great. And what if I feel hot, and my body is warm?

B: Then you have a fever. “I have a fever” means your body is hotter than normal.

A: “I have a fever.” And in British English, people often say, “I have a temperature.”

B: Yes, both are common — we’ll use “a fever,” the American form.

A: And how do you check it?

B: You take your temperature, with a thermometer. “It’s thirty-eight degrees Celsius — about one hundred point four Fahrenheit.”

A: Another “take”! English loves that verb.

B: It really does.

A: So I can say: “I have a sore throat, a cough, and a fever.”

B: And now the doctor knows all your symptoms. That’s the whole conversation, really.

Medicine and rest

A: Okay. The doctor listens, and then? What happens next?

B: Often, the doctor gives you a prescription. To get a prescription means you get a paper, or a message, so you can buy medicine at the pharmacy.

A: “To get a prescription.” So it’s an order from the doctor that tells the pharmacy which medicine you need.

B: Exactly. Then you go to the pharmacy, and you take your medicine.

A: “To take medicine.” We say “take,” not “drink” or “eat.” “Take this twice a day.”

B: Very important — many learners say “drink medicine,” but in English we take it.

A: Good to know. And the doctor almost always says one more thing.

B: Yes! “Get some rest.” To get some rest means to relax, and sleep, and let your body get strong again.

A: “To get some rest.” It’s the oldest advice, and it’s usually the best.

B: It really is. Sleep, warm drinks, and time.

A: And at the pharmacy, what can I ask for?

B: You can say, “I have a prescription,” and give them the paper. Or you can ask, “Do you have something for a sore throat?”

A: “Do you have something for…?” That’s a great pattern.

B: It is. “Do you have something for a headache?” “Do you have something for a cough?”

Work and getting better

A: Now, what about work? I’m sick, so I can’t go.

B: Then you call in sick. To call in sick means to tell your work that you are ill and can’t come today.

A: “To call in sick.” So I message my manager: “I’m not feeling well, so I won’t be able to come in today.”

B: Right. And in many countries, if you’re away for a few days, you need a doctor’s note — a paper from the doctor for your work.

A: How do I ask for one?

B: Just say, “Could I have a note for work, please?” The doctor will understand.

A: A “doctor’s note.” That’s useful. And then, hopefully, I start to feel better.

B: Yes. We say, “to get better.” To get better means to become healthy again, slowly.

A: “To get better.” “I’m getting better, thank you.” Or, “I hope you get better soon!”

B: And that’s a lovely thing to say to a friend: “Get better soon!”

A: Or, “Feel better soon!” Both are kind and very common.

B: And when you’re completely healthy again, you can say, “I’m over it now,” or “I’ve recovered.”

A: “To be over it.” Nice — the illness is finished, it’s behind you.

B: Perfect. And one small note — we’re teaching English here, not medicine. For real health questions, always talk to a real doctor.

A: Very true. We do words; they do medicine.

A short visit

A: Before we review, let’s hear a whole visit, quickly.

B: Sure. “What seems to be the problem?” — “I have a sore throat and a fever.” — “How long have you had it?” — “Since Monday.” — “Let me take a look. I’ll write you a prescription. Get some rest, and drink plenty of water.” — “Thank you, doctor.”

A: That’s it! Short, natural, and you could use it tomorrow.

B: Exactly. A few lines, and you can handle a real visit.

A: Let’s try one more, at the pharmacy.

B: “Hi, I have a prescription.” — “Of course. Have you taken this before?” — “No, this is the first time.” — “Okay. Here you are. Feel better soon!” — “Thank you very much.”

A: Short and friendly. That’s real English.

Quick review

A: Let’s do a quick review. I’ll ask, and you can answer in your head first. Ready?

B: Ready!

A: You feel a little bit sick, but not terrible. How do you say it?

B: I feel under the weather.

A: The signs of your illness — a cough, a headache. What are they called?

B: Symptoms.

A: You want to arrange a time to see the doctor. What do you do?

B: You make an appointment.

A: Your throat hurts. How do you say it?

B: I have a sore throat.

A: The doctor gives you a paper, so you can buy medicine. What is it?

B: A prescription.

A: And to become healthy again, slowly. How do you say it?

B: To get better.

A: Perfect. You’ve got them all.

Outro

A: So today we learned a lot of useful phrases for the doctor’s office.

B: To feel under the weather. To catch a cold. Symptoms. To make an appointment.

A: What seems to be the problem. A sore throat. To have a fever.

B: To get a prescription. To take medicine. To get some rest. To call in sick. And to get better.

A: If you want to review these phrases and remember them, open the link below and practice them in Recursio.

B: Thank you so much for listening. And stay healthy!

A: Take care, get some rest, and see you in the next episode.