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A2 · Elementary

At the Doctor (SNS): Symptoms & Body Parts

Book a consulta, name your body parts, and describe symptoms at a Portuguese centro de saúde — the European Portuguese for the SNS.

📝 Vocabulary

PortugueseEnglishNotes
O centro de saúdeThe health centerYour local SNS clinic
A consultaThe appointment / consultation
O médico de famíliaThe family doctor (GP)
As urgênciasThe emergency roomFor real emergencies only
A cabeçaThe head
A gargantaThe throat
As costasThe backPlural in Portuguese!
A barrigaThe belly / stomach
Sinto-me malI feel unwell
A baixa médicaSick leave (doctor's note)

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💡 Grammar Notes

Describing Symptoms with "Doer" and "Ter"

The verb doer (to hurt) puts the body part in charge:

  • "Dói-me a barriga." (My stomach hurts.)
  • "Doem-me as costas." (My back hurts — costas is plural, so the verb is doem.)

For everything else, ter (to have):

  • "Tenho febre / tosse / tonturas." (I have a fever / a cough / dizziness.)

"Há quanto tempo?" — The Doctor's Favorite Question

Doctors always ask how long it has been going on:

  • "Há quanto tempo se sente assim?" (How long have you felt like this?)
  • "Há três dias." (For three days.) — há + time = "for/since" with durations.

Polite Formal Register at the Clinic

Staff will address you formally. Expect o senhor / a senhora and answer in kind:

  • "Queria marcar uma consulta." (I'd like to book an appointment.)
  • "Pode chamar o médico, se faz favor?" (Could you call the doctor, please?)

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