Learn useful medical terms in French

19 Sep 2025

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Knowing essential medical terms in French will help you communicate effectively with your doctor or at the pharmacy.

Being able to describe your symptoms confidently is crucial, which is why we’ve put together this guide to essential medical terms in French.

For general health concerns, start with a médecin généraliste (general practitioner).

For specialised care, here are common specialists:

Before examining you, doctors in France will typically ask about your condition: What is happening? How do you feel? Where does it hurt?

Being able to describe your symptoms clearly is important. To do so, you can use the following simple terms to describe your symptoms:

French	English	Example Sentence
Fièvre	Fever	J’ai de la fièvre depuis hier. I have had a fever since yesterday.
Toux	Cough	J’ai une toux persistante. I have a persistent cough.
Fatigue	Fatigue	Je me sens très fatigué(e). I feel very tired.
Nausée	Nausea	J’ai des nausées depuis ce matin. I’ve been feeling nauseous since this morning.
Vertige	Dizziness	J’ai des vertiges quand je me lève. I feel dizzy when I stand up.

Or, you can simply describe how you feel and where it hurts by saying: “J’ai mal à [body part]”.

French	English	Example
La tête	Head	J’ai mal à la tête depuis ce matin. I have had a headache since this morning.
L’œuil / Les yeux	Eye	J’ai mal à l’œil gauche. My left eye hurts.
L’oreille	Ear	J’ai mal à l’oreille droite. My right ear hurts.
La bouche	Mouth	J’ai mal à la bouche quand je mange. My mouth hurts when I eat.
Les dents	Tooth	J’ai mal à une dent depuis hier. I have a toothache since yesterday.
La gorge	Throat	J’ai mal à la gorge et je tousse beaucoup. My throat hurts and I cough a lot.
L’estomac	Stomach	J’ai mal à l’estomac après le repas. My stomach hurts after the meal.
Le dos	Back	J’ai mal au dos depuis que j’ai soulevé cette boîte. My back hurts since I lifted that box.
Les bras	Arm	J’ai mal au bras gauche. My left arm hurts.
Les jambes	Leg	J’ai mal à la jambe droite quand je marche. My right leg hurts when I walk.

For minor problems, you can get over-the-counter medicine at a pharmacy in France.

Here are essential phrases and vocabulary to get the right medicine for your situation:

French	English
Avez-vous quelque chose pour la douleur ?	Do you have something for pain?
Je cherche quelque chose pour une toux.	I’m looking for something for a cough.
Puis-je avoir des pastilles pour la gorge ?	Can I have some throat lozenges?