Phrases › At the Doctor › Ho un appuntamento con il dottore.

Ho un appuntamento con il dottore.

I have an appointment with the doctor.

Pronunciation

ap-pun-ta-MEN-to — double 'p' and 't' are both pronounced, giving a clipped quality. DOT-to-re.

When to use it

Say this at the reception desk when you arrive at a clinic or GP surgery. It confirms your visit is expected.

What it means

'Ho' is the first person singular of 'avere' (to have). 'Un appuntamento' means 'an appointment' — the same word is used for any scheduled meeting, not just medical ones. 'Con il dottore' means 'with the doctor'; 'dottore' is the standard respectful title for any graduate in Italy, not only medical doctors.

Variations

Ho prenotato una visita per oggi.

I booked a visit for today.

More specific — use when you booked online or by phone

Sono qui per la visita delle dieci.

I am here for the ten o'clock appointment.

Gives the exact time — helpful at busy receptions

Ho un appuntamento con la dottoressa Rossi.

I have an appointment with Dr. Rossi (female).

Use 'dottoressa' for a female doctor

Mini Dialogue

— Buongiorno, ho un appuntamento con il dottore. — Il suo nome, prego? — Mi chiamo Marco Bianchi. — Prego, si accomodi. Il dottore la chiama tra dieci minuti. — Grazie.

— Good morning, I have an appointment with the doctor. — Your name, please? — My name is Marco Bianchi. — Please, have a seat. The doctor will call you in ten minutes. — Thank you.

Cultural Note

In Italy, the public GP is called 'medico di base' or 'medico di famiglia'. Every resident registers with one for free care under the SSN (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale). Tourists with an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) can access urgent public healthcare. Private visits ('visite private') are faster but cost €50–150.

Mi fa male qui.

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