politeLesson 19

Describing Symptoms to a Doctor — Department manager

Situation

Where
A doctor's examination room
Who
You and a department manager
Goal
To explain your symptoms clearly to a doctor.

Conversation

Show

A

What brings you in today?

B

My stomach has hurt since three days ago, and I have no appetite.

A

Do you have a fever?

B

Last night it was thirty-eight degrees.

A

I see. Let me examine you a little. Please show me your stomach.

Vocabulary (10)

onaka

stomach / belly

お腹が痛い = "my stomach hurts."

shokuyoku

appetite

食欲がない = "no appetite."

〜maekara

since … ago

三日前から = "since three days ago."

sakuya

last night

Formal version of ゆうべ.

〜do

degree(s)

三十八度 = "38 degrees."

shinsatsu

medical examination

診察します = "I'll examine you."

yoroshikuonegaishimasu

thank you in advance

Closes most requests and emails; sets a cooperative tone.

kakunin

confirmation / check

Daily-use word: ご確認お願いします means "please check."

shouchishimashita

understood (polite)

Politer than 分かりました; use with managers and clients.

houkoku

report

Part of 報連相 (report, contact, consult) — core Japanese work etiquette.

Grammar

Time + から

Since: 三日前から = "since three days ago."

Adjective stem + くて

Links symptoms: 痛くて、食欲もありません.

Verb te-form + ください

Instruction: 見せてください = "please show me."

Cultural Notes

Workplace etiquette

Describe when symptoms started, where, and how severe. Doctors appreciate concrete timelines.

Formality level

Polite. されました is honorific; you can answer in plain polite forms.

Common mistake

Japanese clinics are often specialized (内科 internal, 外科 surgery). Going to the right department saves time.

Quiz

What does "お腹" mean?

What does "食欲" mean?

What does "〜前から" mean?

What does "昨夜" mean?

What does "〜度" mean?

What does "診察" mean?

How is the pattern "〜から" used?

How is the pattern "〜くて" used?

How is the pattern "〜てください" used?

What is the goal of this conversation?

Flashcards

Turn this lesson into flashcards

Save all 10 vocabulary items to your deck and review them later with spaced repetition.