When learning French, mastering healthcare and medical terms can be invaluable, especially if you plan to visit or live in a French-speaking country. These terms will not only help you in hospitals or clinics but also enhance your overall language skills and cultural understanding. Here’s a guide to some essential healthcare and medical terms in French.
Le médecin – The doctor
Je dois prendre rendez-vous avec le médecin demain.
A general term for a medical doctor or physician.
L’infirmier / L’infirmière – Nurse (male/female)
L’infirmière prendra votre tension artérielle maintenant.
Refers to a healthcare professional who is trained to care for the sick or infirm, particularly in a hospital.
L’hôpital – Hospital
Il a été admis à l’hôpital après l’accident.
A medical facility where patients receive treatment from specialized staff and equipment.
La clinique – Clinic
Je vais à la clinique pour un examen de routine.
A healthcare facility that is primarily focused on the care of outpatients.
La pharmacie – Pharmacy
Pouvez-vous aller chercher des médicaments à la pharmacie?
A store where medicinal drugs are dispensed and sold.
Le médicament – Medication
Le médecin m’a prescrit un nouveau médicament.
Any substance used to treat, cure, prevent, or diagnose a disease or pain.
La prescription – Prescription
Vous devez avoir une prescription pour acheter ce médicament.
A written order from a physician that authorizes a patient to be issued medicine or treatment.
Le traitement – Treatment
Le traitement peut durer plusieurs mois.
The management and care of a patient for the purpose of combating disease or disorder.
Les soins – Care
Elle reçoit des soins intensifs à l’hôpital.
The services rendered by members of the health professions for the benefit of a patient.
La chirurgie – Surgery
Il doit subir une chirurgie du cœur demain.
A branch of medicine that employs operations in the treatment of disease or injury.
Le chirurgien – Surgeon
Le chirurgien expliquera les risques de l’opération.
A doctor who specializes in performing surgery to treat diseases, injuries, or deformities.
Le diagnostic – Diagnosis
Le diagnostic a confirmé qu’il s’agissait d’une infection virale.
The identification of the nature of an illness or other problem by examination of the symptoms.
Les symptômes – Symptoms
Elle a décrit ses symptômes au médecin.
Signs or indications of a disease or condition observed by a patient.
L’urgence – Emergency
Appelez les urgences, c’est une situation critique!
A serious, unexpected, and often dangerous situation requiring immediate action.
Le patient / La patiente – Patient (male/female)
Le patient a été libéré de l’hôpital ce matin.
An individual under medical care or treatment.
L’examen médical – Medical examination
L’examen médical a duré environ vingt minutes.
A thorough check of the body by a doctor for signs of disease or injury.
La salle d’opération – Operating room
Le chirurgien est en salle d’opération.
A room in a hospital where surgical operations are carried out.
L’ordonnance – Prescription
L’ordonnance doit être renouvelée après deux semaines.
Another term for prescription, specifically referring to the written order itself.
By familiarizing yourself with these French healthcare and medical terms, you can significantly improve your ability to communicate effectively in French-speaking medical environments. Whether it’s visiting a pharmacy, discussing symptoms, or understanding a doctor’s instructions, these terms will prove to be very useful.
