Quick Answer
I use these phrases every day on the job. Here are my top 5 most-used phrases (ranked by frequency):
- 1"I have [condition]" — needed in 90% of situations
- 2"I'm allergic to [medication]" — safety first
- 3"Do I need to fast for this test?" — many people forget to ask
- 4"How much does it cost?" — know the price upfront
- 5"Can you write it down?" — when the doctor talks too fast
Arthur's Take
Chinese patients tend to "tough it out" and say nothing. But for doctors, the more detail the better. Don't worry about saying too much — doctors worry when you say too little.
Pronunciation Guide (Pinyin)
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 我有糖尿病 | Wǒ yǒu tángniàobìng | I have diabetes. |
| 我对青霉素过敏 | Wǒ duì qīngméisù guòmǐn | I'm allergic to penicillin. |
| 需要空腹吗？ | Xūyào kōngfù ma? | Do I need to fast? |
| 大概多少钱？ | Dàgài duōshǎo qián? | How much does it cost? |
| 请写下来 | Qǐng xiě xiàlái | Please write it down. |
Why Clarifying Symptoms Matters
When describing symptoms to a doctor, details matter. For example, the medical definition of "diarrhea" includes not just watery stools, but also loose or unformed stools. Many patients answer "no" to "any diarrhea?" because they don't realize their symptoms fit the medical definition. Asking the doctor to clarify definitions can help ensure accurate communication.
Key phrases:
- "Doctor, does what he just described count as [diagnostic keyword]?" — I ask this every time. It helps the doctor get complete information and confirms the client understands correctly.
- "Can you write it down?" — When the doctor talks too fast to remember, this is the most useful phrase.
Medical Scenarios
Click each scenario to see the most useful phrases for that situation. Practice these before your hospital visit.
Practice Tips
Pick one scenario each day and read both Chinese and English aloud
Focus on practicing the parts where you replace "XX" with numbers — these are the most frequent in real escort work
Record yourself on your phone and play it back to check pronunciation
Print a copy and keep it in your folder for quick reference during hospital visits
Full Phrasebook
This guide covers the most essential phrases. For the complete 100+ phrase reference covering every scenario from airport pickup to post-visit follow-up, check out the full phrasebook:
Open Full PhrasebookNote:
Sources: HKU-Shenzhen Hospital International Medical Center ↗ · Shenzhen Health Commission ↗