When you feel unwell in Japan, you may need to ask for medical help politely. In this workshop, you will practice saying that you need to see a doctor, asking where a hospital or clinic is, and asking whether an English-speaking doctor is available. You will use short, polite Japanese phrases that work at a hotel front desk, a station, or a clinic. The practice is built around recorded model lines, so you can listen, repeat, and then try both roles in a simple exchange. You do not need to know medical vocabulary beyond these phrases. Focus on clear pronunciation and polite tone. The goal is to help you communicate your need calmly and understand a basic reply about where to go.
Saying You Need a Doctor
Start with a polite sentence that states your need clearly. The recorded line «医者に診てもらう必要があります。» means 'I need to see a doctor.' The sentence says that receiving a doctor’s examination is necessary; its ending is polite. Say it slowly, keeping the rhythm even. This sentence is useful when you speak to a hotel clerk, a station attendant, or a clinic receptionist. After saying it, you can add a question about location. The recorded line «医者に診てもらう必要があります。近くの病院はどこですか。» combines this need with a question about a nearby hospital. It means 'I need to see a doctor. Where is a nearby hospital?' Notice how the two ideas are joined smoothly. Practice saying «医者に診てもらう必要があります。» alone first, then add the location question from «医者に診てもらう必要があります。近くの病院はどこですか。». This helps you build a longer, natural request without rushing.
Asking Where to Go
To find medical help, you need to ask where a hospital or clinic is. The recorded line «病院はどこですか。» means 'Where is the hospital?' It uses a common question pattern for asking a location. The recorded line «クリニックはどこにありますか。» means 'Where is a clinic?' It uses a different verb for existence and location, which is standard for places. Listen to the difference between the two questions. In a real situation, you might ask about a hospital or a clinic depending on what is nearby. You can also ask about a nearby place by adding a word for 'nearby' before the place, as shown in «医者に診てもらう必要があります。近くの病院はどこですか。». Practice both questions until you can say them without reading. Then try asking each question in a calm, polite voice.
Checking for English-Speaking Help
If you are not confident in Japanese, you may want to ask whether an English-speaking doctor is available. The recorded line «英語の話せる医者はいますか。» means 'Is there a doctor who can speak English?' It uses a polite question form for people. The recorded line «駅の前にクリニックがあります。英語の話せる医者もいますよ。» includes a reply that mentions a clinic in front of the station and an English-speaking doctor. It means 'There is a clinic in front of the station. There is also a doctor who speaks English.' This reply gives both a location and helpful information. When you listen, focus on the place word and the word for English-speaking doctor. Practice repeating «英語の話せる医者はいますか。» and then listen to «駅の前にクリニックがあります。英語の話せる医者もいますよ。» to hear how a helpful answer might sound. You can use these lines to prepare for a conversation at a station or a hotel.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
医者に診てもらう必要があります。
I need to see a doctor.
isha ni mite morau hitsuyō ga arimasu
病院はどこですか。
Where is the hospital?
byōin wa doko desu ka
クリニックはどこにありますか。
Where is a clinic?
kurinikku wa doko ni arimasu ka
英語の話せる医者はいますか。
Is there a doctor who can speak English?
eigo no hanaseru isha wa imasu ka
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
すみません、気分が悪いです。
Excuse me, I feel unwell.どうしましたか。
What is the matter?医者に診てもらう必要があります。近くの病院はどこですか。
I need to see a doctor. Where is a nearby hospital?駅の前にクリニックがあります。英語の話せる医者もいますよ。
There is a clinic in front of the station. There is also a doctor who speaks English.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided Exchange: Asking for a Doctor
Imagine you are at a hotel front desk and you feel unwell. You need to tell the staff that you need a doctor and ask where a nearby hospital is. Use the recorded lines to guide your speech.
Your task: First, listen to «医者に診てもらう必要があります。» and repeat it aloud. Then listen to «医者に診てもらう必要があります。近くの病院はどこですか。» and repeat it aloud. Finally, say the full request from «医者に診てもらう必要があります。近くの病院はどこですか。» without looking at the text. If you can, compare your rhythm with the recorded model line.
Reply Comprehension: Understanding Where to Go
Imagine you asked for help and someone replied with information about a clinic and an English-speaking doctor. You will listen to a recorded reply and choose what it tells you.
Your task: Listen to «駅の前にクリニックがあります。英語の話せる医者もいますよ。». Then answer these questions in your own words: Where is the clinic? Is there an English-speaking doctor? You may listen again if needed. After you answer, check your understanding by reading the English meaning of «駅の前にクリニックがあります。英語の話せる医者もいますよ。».
Recall with Correct Roles: Patient and Helper
Now practice a short exchange with two roles. One person is the patient who feels unwell and needs a doctor. The other person is a helper who gives information. Use the recorded lines for both roles.
Your task: First, play the patient. Say the line from «すみません、気分が悪いです。» to start. Then, play the helper and say the line from «どうしましたか。». Next, play the patient again and say the full request from «医者に診てもらう必要があります。近くの病院はどこですか。». Finally, play the helper and say the reply from «駅の前にクリニックがあります。英語の話せる医者もいますよ。». Try to do this without reading the text.
Common questions
What is the difference between the hospital question and the clinic question?
«病院はどこですか。» asks Where is the hospital? «クリニックはどこにありますか。» asks Where is a clinic? Both are polite location questions. Practice the different place words, then listen to the recorded reply about a clinic in front of the station. These examples teach wording, not how to choose medical care.
How do I ask if a doctor speaks English?
Use the recorded line «英語の話せる医者はいますか。», which means 'Is there a doctor who can speak English?' It uses a polite question form for people. This is useful when you want to make sure you can communicate in English. You can say it after you have asked for a doctor or a clinic. The reply in «駅の前にクリニックがあります。英語の話せる医者もいますよ。» shows how someone might tell you that an English-speaking doctor is available.
Sources and further reading
- japanese: ask for a doctorChecked September 2026
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