First Phrases

Doctor / GP · Español

Doctor / GP in Spanish: 12 survival phrases

Book a GP appointment, say where it hurts, ask someone to slow down or write it down, and know what to say in an emergency.

Phrases, not advice. These cards only help you say what you need. They give no medical, legal, tax or financial advice. For any decision, ask the pharmacist, doctor, bank or the official office.

Register: Polite (formal is safer). Use "usted". In Spain you normally see a "médico de cabecera" (GP, also "médico de familia") at your "centro de salud" with a "tarjeta sanitaria". Appointments are often made by "cita previa".

How to read the sounds: Spanish is mostly read as written. In Spain, c before e/i and z sound like English th. h is silent. ñ = ny. rr is rolled. Stress is marked in CAPITALS.

Your recording stays on your device.

Official names used

On this card: centro de salud, médico de cabecera, tarjeta sanitaria, cita previa. Spelling checked against official sites on 2026-10-20:

12 phrases you will need

  1. 01Polite
    Quisiera pedir cita con un médico de cabecera.
    Say it like: kee-SYEH-rah peh-DEER THEE-tah kon oon MEH-dee-koh deh kah-beh-THEH-rah
    I'd like to make an appointment with a GP.
    Register: "Quisiera" is a very polite "I would like".
  2. 02Polite
    ¿Tiene cita para hoy o para esta semana?
    Say it like: TYEH-neh THEE-tah PAH-rah oy oh PAH-rah ES-tah seh-MAH-nah
    Do you have an appointment today or this week?
    Register: Polite.
  3. 03Neutral
    Tengo cita a las diez. Me llamo …
    Say it like: TEN-goh THEE-tah ah lahs dyeth. meh YAH-moh
    I have an appointment at ten. My name is …
    Register: Say it at the reception desk.
  4. 04Neutral
    No me encuentro bien.
    Say it like: noh meh en-KWEN-troh byen
    I don't feel well.
    Register: "Encontrarse bien" is the usual way to say it in Spain.
  5. 05Neutral
    Me duele aquí.
    Say it like: meh DWEH-leh ah-KEE
    It hurts here.
    Register: Point to the place.
  6. 06Neutral
    Tengo fiebre desde ayer.
    Say it like: TEN-goh FYEH-breh DES-deh ah-YER
    I've had a fever since yesterday.
    Register: Change "ayer" to "hace tres días" (three days ago).
  7. 07Neutral
    Soy alérgico/alérgica a … y tomo esta medicación.
    Say it like: soy ah-LER-hee-koh/ah-LER-hee-kah ah ... ee TOH-moh ES-tah meh-dee-kah-THYON
    I'm allergic to … and I take this medication.
    Register: Show the box or the list.
  8. 08Polite
    ¿Puede hablar más despacio, por favor?
    Say it like: PWEH-deh ah-BLAR mahs des-PAH-thyoh, por fah-BOR
    Could you speak more slowly, please?
    Register: Polite.
  9. 09Polite
    ¿Me lo puede escribir, por favor?
    Say it like: meh loh PWEH-deh es-kree-BEER, por fah-BOR
    Could you write that down, please?
    Register: Polite.
  10. 10Polite
    Es una urgencia. Llame a una ambulancia, por favor.
    Say it like: es OO-nah oor-HEN-thyah. YAH-meh ah OO-nah am-boo-LAN-thyah, por fah-BOR
    It's an emergency. Please call an ambulance.
    Register: The emergency number in Spain is 112.
  11. 11Polite
    ¿Podría darme una receta o un justificante?
    Say it like: poh-DREE-ah DAR-meh OO-nah rreh-THEH-tah oh oon hoos-tee-fee-KAN-teh
    Could you give me a prescription or a medical note?
    Register: "Justificante" = a note proving you were seen.
  12. 12Neutral
    ¿Hay alguien que hable inglés?
    Say it like: eye AL-gyen keh AH-bleh een-GLES
    Is there anyone here who speaks English?
    Register: Neutral; "hable" is the subjunctive after "alguien que".

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Quick answers

What do I say to start at the doctor in Spanish?

Start with: "Quisiera pedir cita con un médico de cabecera." (I'd like to make an appointment with a GP.)

Should I use informal or formal Spanish at the doctor?

Use "usted". In Spain you normally see a "médico de cabecera" (GP, also "médico de familia") at your "centro de salud" with a "tarjeta sanitaria". Appointments are often made by "cita previa".

How do I ask for a GP appointment in Spanish?

Try: "Quisiera pedir cita con un médico de cabecera." (I'd like to make an appointment with a GP.)

Same errand, another language

Español Português Français Deutsch Italiano Nederlands

Spanish, another errand

Pharmacy Doctor / GP Opening a bank account Tax office Renting a flat

All 5 × 6 survival decks · Phrases for an evening out

How it works

  1. Pick the errand and the language of the country you are in.
  2. Read the twelve phrases: each has the English meaning, an easy pronunciation guide and a register note. Tap the speaker to hear it in your device's voice, or tap Practise to record yourself and compare with the model (your recording never leaves your device).
  3. Print the card or keep it open on your phone. The official names of offices and numbers are checked against the official sites; native-speaker review is still pending.
  4. Once you are settled, open Meet & Mint to find events near you, see who else is going, join alone and chat with the group.

firstphrases.app/survival/doctor/es/ · Phrases, not advice · Meet & Mint