When you visit a doctor in Spanish, you need to say what hurts, how strong the pain is, and how long you have felt it. This workshop uses short recorded lines to help you speak about symptoms clearly. You will repeat useful phrases, choose the right reply to a doctor's question, and then practice both roles in a short exchange. The recordings give you the exact words to use, so you can focus on speaking with confidence.
Say what hurts and how long
Start by naming the problem. «Me duele mucho la cabeza.» means the speaker has a bad headache. «Me duelen los oídos desde ayer.» means the speaker's ears have been hurting since yesterday. Notice that the second line includes a time phrase, which helps the doctor understand how long the symptom has lasted. When you practice, say each line slowly and clearly. Then try changing only the body part if you need to describe a different pain, but keep the same pattern from the recording. This helps you build a sentence you can actually use in a clinic.
Describe the strength of the pain
Doctors often ask whether the pain is mild or strong. «El dolor es leve, pero constante.» means the pain is mild but constant. This is useful because it tells the doctor both the intensity and the pattern. «Tengo fiebre y me siento muy mal.» means the speaker has a fever and feels very bad. These two lines show different kinds of information: one describes pain quality, the other describes general condition. Practice saying them with a calm, steady voice. Then listen to yourself and check that the important words are clear.
Answer a doctor's questions
In a real visit, the doctor usually speaks first. «Buenos días, ¿qué síntomas tiene?» means good morning, what symptoms do you have? A patient can answer with «Me duele mucho la garganta y tengo fiebre desde hace dos días.», which means my throat hurts a lot and I have had a fever for two days. The doctor may then ask «¿El dolor es leve o fuerte? ¿Puede tragar?», which means is the pain mild or strong, and can you swallow? The patient replies with «Es fuerte, pero puedo tragar. También me duele la cabeza un poco.», which means it is strong, but I can swallow, and my head also hurts a little. Practice the order: doctor asks, patient answers, doctor asks again, patient answers again.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
Me duele mucho la cabeza.
I have a bad headache.
meh DWEH-leh MOO-choh lah kah-BEH-sah
Me duelen los oídos desde ayer.
My ears have been hurting since yesterday.
meh DWEH-lehn lohs oh-EE-dohs DEHS-deh ah-YEHR
El dolor es leve, pero constante.
The pain is mild, but constant.
el doh-LOHR ehs LEH-beh PEH-roh kohns-TAHN-teh
Tengo fiebre y me siento muy mal.
I have a fever and I feel very bad.
TEHN-goh FYEH-breh ee meh SYEHN-toh MOO-ee MAHL
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Buenos días, ¿qué síntomas tiene?
Good morning, what symptoms do you have?Me duele mucho la garganta y tengo fiebre desde hace dos días.
My throat hurts a lot and I have had a fever for two days.¿El dolor es leve o fuerte? ¿Puede tragar?
Is the pain mild or strong? Can you swallow?Es fuerte, pero puedo tragar. También me duele la cabeza un poco.
It is strong, but I can swallow. My head also hurts a little.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided symptom exchange
You are the patient. The doctor asks you a question. Use the recorded patient reply that matches.
Your task: Read the doctor's question aloud: «Buenos días, ¿qué síntomas tiene?». Then read the patient's answer aloud: «Me duele mucho la garganta y tengo fiebre desde hace dos días.». After that, read the doctor's follow-up question: «¿El dolor es leve o fuerte? ¿Puede tragar?», and answer with «Es fuerte, pero puedo tragar. También me duele la cabeza un poco.». Repeat the whole exchange twice, keeping the same order.
Choose the right reply
The doctor asks about the pain and swallowing. You need to choose the patient reply that fits.
Your task: Read the doctor's question: «¿El dolor es leve o fuerte? ¿Puede tragar?». Which recorded patient reply answers it: «Me duele mucho la garganta y tengo fiebre desde hace dos días.» or «Es fuerte, pero puedo tragar. También me duele la cabeza un poco.»? Say your choice aloud, then say the full reply.
Recall the exchange with correct roles
Cover the recordings. Imagine a clinic visit where the doctor asks about symptoms and then about pain strength.
Your task: Say the doctor's opening question from memory. Then say the patient's first answer. Then say the doctor's follow-up question. Then say the patient's second answer. Use the recorded lines: «Buenos días, ¿qué síntomas tiene?», «Me duele mucho la garganta y tengo fiebre desde hace dos días.», «¿El dolor es leve o fuerte? ¿Puede tragar?», «Es fuerte, pero puedo tragar. También me duele la cabeza un poco.».
Common questions
Can I practice these lines alone without a partner?
Yes. You can read both the doctor and patient parts yourself. Just keep the order: doctor asks first, patient answers second. You can also play the recordings and repeat after each line.
What should I focus on when I say the symptom lines?
Focus on clear pronunciation and a calm voice. Make sure the body part, the strength of the pain, and any time phrase are easy to hear. You do not need to rush; speaking slowly helps the listener understand.
Sources and further reading
- spanish: explain a food allergy in detailChecked September 2026
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