How to Describe Symptoms and Answer a Doctor’s Questions in German

1. How do I say what hurts in German?

Use „Ich habe …“ with a symptom, or name the body part with „… tut weh.“ Goethe-Institut’s guide to health in Germany explains that a consultation includes questions about the painful area, the beginning of the symptoms and whether similar pain occurred before. Describe what you experience; you do not need to supply a diagnosis.

Pointing can support the words „hier“ (here), „links“ (on the left) and „rechts“ (on the right). Practise the specific body part you want to describe, rather than memorising every word on a long list.

2. How do I answer “Seit wann?”

„Seit wann?“ asks when something started. Give a starting point, such as „Seit Montag“, or an elapsed duration, such as „Seit vier Tagen.“ In IDS’s grammar reference, temporal seit marks a period extending to the time of speaking and takes the dative with a noun phrase.

An ongoing symptom can therefore use the present tense: „Ich habe seit vier Tagen Schmerzen im Fuß.“ — “I have had pain in my foot for four days.” Notice Tagen, and „seit einer Woche“ — “for a week.” English’s present perfect does not require German’s perfect tense in this example.

If you are unsure of the exact beginning, say so: „Ich weiß es nicht genau. Ungefähr seit dem Wochenende.“ — “I’m not sure. Approximately since the weekend.”

3. How do I describe intensity and changes?

Add a detail that is true for you. Useful contrasts include leicht / stark (mild / severe), besser / schlimmer (better / worse) and manchmal / ständig (sometimes / constantly). These words describe your experience; they do not establish its cause.

• Die Schmerzen sind heute stärker. — The pain is more intense today.
• Es tut nur beim Gehen weh. — It only hurts when I walk.
• Das hatte ich schon einmal, vor zwei Monaten. — I have experienced that before, two months ago.

Keep onset separate from a later change: „Seit Montag. Seit gestern ist es schlimmer.“ Both statements can belong to the same description.

4. What can I say when I do not understand the doctor?

Ask for the specific help you need: a repeated question, slower speech or an explanation of one word. The Goethe-Institut and telc language inventory includes these as strategies for maintaining understanding. Here are original adaptations for a consultation:

• Die letzte Frage habe ich nicht verstanden. Können Sie sie wiederholen? — I didn’t understand the last question. Can you repeat it?
• Bitte sprechen Sie langsamer, besonders bei den Fachwörtern. — Please speak more slowly, especially when using technical terms.
• Was bedeutet dieses Wort? — What does this word mean?

Practise asking these questions aloud. Lingeva’s AI Speaking requires Premium, subject to any applicable trial entitlement; access and usage limits apply. Explore Lingeva’s German speaking practice to see how its speaking tools fit your broader learning routine.

5. What does a short symptom conversation look like?

This original dialogue uses one detail per turn. Read both roles, then cover the patient’s answers and respond using your own invented practice situation.

Try three short exercises

1. Your fictional practice symptom began Thursday and continues today. Answer „Seit wann?“
2. Complete the duration: „Ich habe seit vier ___ Schmerzen.“ Use Tag.
3. You understood the sentence except the word ständig. Ask a targeted clarification question.