Italian Health Vocabulary: The Words You Will Be Grateful You Learned Before You Needed Them
There is a category of vocabulary you hope never to need and should absolutely learn anyway. Medical Italian is that category. Italy has an excellent public health system — the Servizio Sanitario Nazionale — and EU citizens access it with a European Health Insurance Card. Doctors in major cities are often English-speaking. But in a pharmacy, a small-town clinic, or an emergency room, the more Italian you know, the better. These are the words and phrases that matter most.
Body Parts
Ho mal di testa. — I have a headache.
Ho il collo rigido. — I have a stiff neck.
Ho mal di schiena. — I have back pain.
Ho dolore al petto. — I have chest pain.
Ho mal di pancia. — I have a stomach ache.
Mi fa male il braccio destro. — My right arm hurts.
Non riesco a muovere la gamba. — I can't move my leg.
Mi sono storto il piede. — I twisted my foot.
Mi sono fatto male alla mano. — I hurt my hand.
Ho l'occhio irritato. — My eye is irritated.
Symptoms and Ailments
Ho la febbre alta. — I have a high temperature.
Ho mal di gola da ieri. — I've had a sore throat since yesterday.
Tossisco continuamente. — I keep coughing.
Ho preso il raffreddore. — I caught a cold.
Ho la nausea. — I feel nauseous.
Ho vomitato stanotte. — I vomited last night.
Ho la diarrea da due giorni. — I've had diarrhoea for two days.
Ho un dolore acuto al fianco. — I have a sharp pain in my side.
Ho le vertigini. — I feel dizzy.
Sono allergico alla penicillina. — I'm allergic to penicillin.
Describing Pain to a Doctor
Mi fa male qui.
It hurts here. (pointing)
Ho un dolore forte / lieve.
I have severe / mild pain.
Il dolore è costante / intermittente.
The pain is constant / intermittent.
Brucia / prude / pulsa.
It burns / itches / throbs.
Ho difficoltà a respirare.
I have difficulty breathing.
Sono caduto/a.
I fell.
Ho perso conoscenza.
I lost consciousness.
Medical Professionals and Places
Ho bisogno di vedere un medico. — I need to see a doctor.
Portami al pronto soccorso! — Take me to A&E!
L'ospedale è lontano? — Is the hospital far?
La farmacia notturna è in piazza. — The night pharmacy is in the square.
Chiamate un'ambulanza! — Call an ambulance!
Il 118 è il numero del pronto soccorso. — 118 is the emergency number.
At the Pharmacy — Common Medicines
| Italian | English |
|---|---|
| l'antidolorifico | painkiller |
| l'aspirina | aspirin |
| il paracetamolo | paracetamol |
| l'antistaminico | antihistamine |
| il cerotto | plaster / bandage |
| la fasciatura | bandage wrap |
| il collirio | eye drops |
| lo sciroppo per la tosse | cough syrup |
| il termometro | thermometer |
| la ricetta medica | doctor's prescription |
At the Pharmacy
Avete qualcosa per il mal di testa?
Do you have something for a headache?
Ho bisogno di un antidolorifico senza ricetta.
I need a painkiller without a prescription.
Ho la ricetta del medico.
I have the doctor's prescription.
Quante volte al giorno?
How many times a day? (asking instructions)
Prima o dopo i pasti?
Before or after meals?
Save these before you travel. <strong>112</strong> is the single European emergency number — police, fire, ambulance. <strong>118</strong> is dedicated medical emergency. <strong>113</strong> is the <em>Polizia di Stato</em>. <strong>115</strong> is the fire brigade. Pharmacies display a green cross and post a night-duty rota (<em>farmacia di turno</em>) so you can always find one open. In any emergency: <strong><em>Aiuto!</em></strong> — Help! — will be understood everywhere.
The Italian farmacia is a far more active institution than its equivalent in many other countries. Italian pharmacists are trained to provide significant medical advice and can recommend treatments for minor ailments without a prescription. For a cold, a mild infection, an allergic reaction, or a skin problem, the pharmacy is often the faster and more practical first stop. The pharmacist will ask 'Cosa ha?' — What is wrong? — and listen carefully. Your Italian health vocabulary will make this conversation significantly easier — and in a moment of genuine discomfort, that matters.
Useful Phrases at the Doctor's
Ho un appuntamento con il dottor Russo. — I have an appointment with Dr Russo.
Da quando ha questi sintomi? Da ieri sera. — How long have you had these symptoms? Since last night.
Prendo già la pressione — farmaci per la pressione. — I am already taking medication for blood pressure.
Sono in gravidanza — è sicuro? — I am pregnant — is it safe?
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