Situation Context
In this lesson, you will learn essential Vietnamese phrases for visiting a doctor. Our dialogue features An, a patient feeling unwell, interacting with a receptionist or nurse at a clinic in Vietnam to explain her symptoms and seek medical attention. This scenario will help you practice making appointments, describing health issues, and understanding basic clinic procedures.
Dialogue
Lễ tân: Xin chào. Bạn cần gì ạ?
Receptionist: Hello. What do you need?
An: Chào chị. Tôi muốn gặp bác sĩ.
An: Hello, sister. I want to see a doctor.
Lễ tân: Bạn có hẹn không?
Receptionist: Do you have an appointment?
An: Tôi không có hẹn. Tôi cảm thấy không khỏe lắm.
An: I don't have an appointment. I don't feel very well.
Lễ tân: Bạn bị sao vậy? Bạn đau ở đâu?
Receptionist: What's wrong with you? Where does it hurt?
An: Tôi bị đau đầu và hơi sốt.
An: I have a headache and a slight fever.
Lễ tân: Bạn đau đầu từ khi nào?
Receptionist: Since when have you had a headache?
An: Tôi đau từ sáng nay. Tôi cũng mệt nữa.
An: I've had the pain since this morning. I'm also tired.
Lễ tân: Vâng. Xin mời bạn ngồi đợi một chút. Bác sĩ đang khám bệnh.
Receptionist: Yes. Please sit and wait a moment. The doctor is examining patients.
An: Vâng, cảm ơn chị.
An: Yes, thank you, sister.
Lễ tân: Bạn tên là gì ạ?
Receptionist: What is your name?
An: Tôi tên là An. Nguyễn Thị An.
An: My name is An. Nguyễn Thị An.
Lễ tân: Bạn có thẻ bảo hiểm y tế không?
Receptionist: Do you have a health insurance card?
An: Dạ có, đây là thẻ của tôi.
An: Yes, here is my card.
Lễ tân: Cảm ơn bạn. Bạn đợi ở ghế kia nhé. Chúng tôi sẽ gọi tên bạn.
Receptionist: Thank you. Please wait on that chair. We will call your name.
An: Vâng. Bao lâu nữa thì tôi được khám ạ?
An: Yes. How much longer until I can be examined?
Lễ tân: Khoảng 15 phút nữa ạ.
Receptionist: In about 15 minutes.
An: Cảm ơn chị nhiều.
An: Thank you very much, sister.
Key Vocabulary
| Tiếng Việt | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| bác sĩ | doctor | Tôi cần gặp bác sĩ. (I need to see a doctor.) |
| đau | pain, ache | Bạn đau ở đâu? (Where do you hurt?) |
| đau đầu | headache | Tôi bị đau đầu từ sáng nay. (I've had a headache since this morning.) |
| sốt | fever | Tôi cảm thấy hơi sốt. (I feel a bit feverish.) |
| cảm thấy | to feel | Tôi cảm thấy không khỏe. (I feel unwell.) |
| không khỏe | unwell, not well | Cô ấy không khỏe nên không đi làm. (She is unwell so she didn't go to work.) |
| có hẹn | to have an appointment | Bạn có hẹn với bác sĩ không? (Do you have an appointment with the doctor?) |
| khám bệnh | to examine (a patient) | Bác sĩ sẽ khám bệnh cho bạn. (The doctor will examine you.) |
| ngồi đợi | to wait (sitting) | Xin mời bạn ngồi đợi ở đây. (Please sit and wait here.) |
| thẻ bảo hiểm y tế | health insurance card | Bạn có thẻ bảo hiểm y tế không? (Do you have a health insurance card?) |
| thuốc | medicine | Bác sĩ kê thuốc cho tôi. (The doctor prescribed medicine for me.) |
| mệt | tired | Hôm nay tôi rất mệt. (Today I am very tired.) |
| phòng khám | clinic | Đây là một phòng khám tư nhân. (This is a private clinic.) |
| y tá | nurse | Cô y tá rất thân thiện. (The nurse is very friendly.) |
| bị | to suffer from, to be afflicted with (often used with negative conditions) | Tôi bị cảm cúm. (I have a cold/flu.) |
Cultural Notes
Tip: In Vietnam, it is common and polite to use appropriate honorifics like "anh" (older brother), "chị" (older sister), "cô" (aunt, older woman), or "chú" (uncle, older man) when addressing medical staff, even if you don't know their exact age. This shows respect and is a fundamental part of Vietnamese communication.
Tip: Many Vietnamese people initially try self-medication with remedies from local pharmacies before deciding to visit a doctor. While this is common, for serious or persistent symptoms, seeking professional medical advice is always recommended.
Tip: When explaining symptoms, try to be as clear and specific as possible. Mentioning when the symptoms started (e.g., "từ sáng nay" - since this morning) and what other symptoms you have (e.g., "cũng mệt nữa" - also tired) can help the medical staff understand your condition better.
Tip: Healthcare facilities in Vietnam, especially in larger cities, often require patients to present a health insurance card (thẻ bảo hiểm y tế) or identification. Always have these ready to ensure a smoother registration process.
Tip: While a scheduled appointment (có hẹn) is preferred, many clinics and hospitals in Vietnam accommodate walk-in patients, especially for urgent but non-emergency situations. You might have to wait longer, but you will generally be seen.
Practice Exercises
1. Tôi bị _____ đầu. (ache/pain)
Answer
đau
2. Bạn có _____ với bác sĩ không? (appointment)
Answer
hẹn
3. Tôi _____ không khỏe lắm. (feel)
Answer
cảm thấy
4. Bác sĩ sẽ _____ cho bạn. (examine)
Answer
khám bệnh
5. Tôi cần mua _____. (medicine)
Answer
thuốc
Useful Expressions
Tôi bị đau bụng.
I have a stomachache.
Tôi bị ho.
I have a cough.
Tôi bị cảm cúm.
I have a cold/flu.
Tôi cần thuốc giảm đau.
I need pain medicine (painkillers).
Mấy giờ bác sĩ rảnh?
What time is the doctor available?
Chúc bạn mau khỏe.
Get well soon.
Tôi có thể đặt hẹn không?
Can I make an appointment?