All good, friends of A Dica do Dia? Imagine this: you’re in Brazil and suddenly need a doctor. Maybe even an eye doctor. You try to explain what’s wrong, but all you can say is “hospital”… in English. The receptionist just stares at you, totally confused. 😨
Don’t worry! In this Dica, we’ll teach you how to say hospital in Portuguese, introduce essential medical terms, and even help you talk about medicine like a local. Whether you’re visiting a hospital in Brazil or just curious about health-related vocabulary, this guide will get you ready for anything.
Ready to become a medical vocabulary pro? Let’s get started! 🚑💉
Medical Terminology in Portuguese
Hopefully, if you come to Brazil to study Portuguese, you won’t have to visit a hospital. But just in case, it’s good to know some basic terms and how to ask for a doctor. Medical vocabulary in Portuguese is broad, so we’ve broken it into sections for you. Let’s take a look!
🎧 Learning Hospital Vocabulary With a Podcast!
Not a fan of memorizing hospital vocabulary? We’ve got the perfect alternative! We just released a new podcast episode to accompany this Dica, and it’s great for anyone who struggles with endless word lists. Instead of isolated terms, you’ll hear natural conversations packed with useful vocabulary and real-life context about visiting the hospital in Portuguese.
The best part? You can listen in your native language, or challenge yourself with the Portuguese version! We made it easy to follow so you can learn at your own pace. Don’t miss out!
Now, let’s explore even more vocabulary and get practicing!
General Medical Terms
Before we dive into the doctor’s office, let’s start with the basics. Whether you need help at a hospital or just want to understand more about medicine in Portuguese, this essential vocabulary will make a big difference. Check it out! 🏥💊
| Hospital | Hospital |
| Consulta | Appointment |
| Ambulatório | Outpatient / Ambulatory |
| Consultório | Clinic |
| Receita / Prescrição | Prescription |
| Medicamento / Remédio | Medication |
| Pílula | Pill |
| Comprimido | Tablet |
| Xarope | Syrup |
| Injeção | Injection |
| Pomada | Ointment |
| Contraindicação | Contraindication |
| Bula | Advice Slip |
| Convênio | Affiliation |
| Plano de saúde | Health Insurance |
| Emergência | Emergency |
| Ambulância | Ambulance |
| Maca | Stretcher |
| Ferimentos | Injury / Wound |
| Pontos | Stitches |
| Cicatrização | Healing |
| Internar | Hospital admission |
| Anestesia | Anesthesia |
| Cirurgia | Surgery |
| Diagnóstico | Diagnosis |
| Repouso | Rest |
| Dar alta | Discharge |
| Consulta geral / Check up | Check up |
| Horário de visita | Visiting hours |
| Sinais vitais | Vital signs |
| Pronto-socorro | First-Aid |
| Temperatura | Temperature |
| Pulsação | Pulse |
| Peso | Weight |
| Altura | Height |
| Quarto | Room |
| Seringa | Syringe |
| Agulha | Needle |
Health Problems in Portuguese
Nobody likes being sick, but knowing how to describe your symptoms in Portuguese can be a lifesaver! From a common cold to more serious issues, here’s the key vocabulary you’ll need: 🤒💉
| Doença | Disease |
| Acidente | Accident |
| Fratura | Fracture |
| Estresse | Stress |
| Hipertensão | Hypertension |
| Pressão baixa | Low pressure |
| Gripe | Flu |
| Resfriado | Cold |
| Alergia | Allergy |
| Tosse | Cough |
| Febre | Fever |
| Garganta inflamada | Sore throat |
| Dor | Ache |
| Dor de cabeça | Headache |
| Dor de dente | Toothache |
| Dor nas costas | Pain in the back |
| Dor nas pernas | Pain in the legs |
| Condição crônica | Chronic condition |

Injuries in Portuguese
Ouch! 😣 Got hurt while exploring Brazil? Don’t worry! Whether you twisted your ankle or feel dizzy, it’s important to know how to ask for help in Portuguese. Here’s some essential vocabulary, don’t forget to check the audio for pronunciation! 🎧🏥
| Torcer | To sprain |
| Quebrar | To break |
| Cortar | To cut |
| Tontura | Dizzy |
Medicines in Portuguese
Feeling under the weather? 🤒 Whether you have a headache, a cold, or a stomach ache, knowing the names of medicines in Portuguese can help you find the right remedy. Use this list at the pharmacy or hospital, and practice with the audio too! 🎧💊
| Antigripal | Antiviral |
| Analgésico | Painkiller |
| Antitérmico | Antipyretic |
| Antiácido | Antacid |
| Descongestionante | Decongestant |
| Anti-inflamatório | Anti-inflammatory |
| Antibiótico | Antibiotics |
| Laxante | Laxative |

Doctor in Portuguese
Do you know how to say “eye doctor” in Portuguese? Maybe you don’t even know in English haha! But if you know the root, it’s easy. Let’s learn the difference between médico and doutor, and how gender changes the word.
Médico vs. Doutor
Médico(a) → This is the actual profession. A médico (male doctor) or médica (female doctor) is someone who studied medicine and works in healthcare.
✅ O médico me receitou um antibiótico. (The doctor prescribed me an antibiotic.)
🎓 Doutor(a) → In Brazil, “Doutor” or “Doutora” is a respectful way to address a doctor. It is like a personal title. Fun fact: Brazilians typically call their doctor by first name, not last.
✅ Doutora Ana, posso tirar uma dúvida? (Doctor Ana, can I ask a question?)
Types of Doctor in Portuguese
Not all doctors are the same! 🏥 Whether you need a pediatrician, a surgeon, or an eye doctor, this vocabulary will help you describe exactly who you’re looking for:
| Médico | Doctor |
| Médica | Female Doctor |
| Doutor | Doctor (as a personal title, not a job) |
| Doutora | Female Doctor (as a personal title, not a job) |
| Enfermeiro | Male Nurse |
| Enfermeira | Female Nurse |
| Paciente | Patient |
| Especialista | Specialist |
| Ortopedista | Orthopedist |
| Pediatra | Pediatrician |
| Dentista | Dentist |
| Ginecologista | Gynecologist |
| Cardiologista | Cardiologist |
| Dermatologista | Dermatologist |
| Neurologista | Neurologist |
| Psiquiatra | Psychiatrist |
| Clínico Geral | General Practitioner |
| Radiologista | Radiologist |
| Endocrinologista | Endocrinologist |
| Oftalmologista | Ophtalmologist / Eye doctor |
| Paramédico | Paramedic |
Medical Terms: Alternative Treatments in Portuguese
| Medicina Alternativa | Alternative medicine |
| Acupuntura | Acupuncture |
| Aromaterapia | Aromatherapy |
| Reflexologia | Reflexology |
| Homeopatia | Homeopathy |
| Iridologia | Iridology |
| Osteopatia | Osteopathy |
| Fitoterapia | Phytotherapy |
Hospital Dialogues in Portuguese
If you’re coming to Brazil on a student visa, it’s important to know how to apply what you’ve learned. Let’s see how these words are used in real-life hospital conversations:
Dialogue Between Patient and Receptionist in Portuguese
Recepcionista: Boa tarde! Em que posso ajudar?
Mãe: Meu filho sofreu um acidente e acho que tem uma fratura no joelho.
Recepcionista: Como isso aconteceu?
Mãe: Ele caiu da bicicleta.
Recepcionista: Certo. Vamos encaminhá-lo a um Ortopedista e ele vai dar uma olhada.
Mãe: Obrigado!
Recepcionista: A senhora tem convênio?
Mãe: Sim, aqui está o cartão do meu plano de saúde.
Receptionist: Good afternoon! How may I help you?
Mother: My son had an accident and I think he might have fractured his knee.
Receptionist: How did this happen?
Mother: He fell off his bike.
Receptionist: Okay. I’m going to need you to visit an Orthopedist and he’ll take a look.
Mother: Thank You!
Receptionist: Are you affiliated with a health plan?
Mother: Yes, here is my health plan card.
Dialogue Between Doctor and Nurse in Portuguese
Médica: O paciente precisa ser levado para a emergência.
Enfermeiro: Está bem. Estou preparando a maca para levá-lo.
Médica: Com esses ferimentos não temos opção senão internar.
Enfermeiro: Devo aplicar alguma anestesia?
Médica: Ainda não!
Doctor: The patient needs to be taken to emergency.
Nurse: Alright. I am preparing the stretcher to take him.
Doctor: With those wounds we have no choice but to hospitalize him.
Nurse: Should I apply some anesthetic
Doctor: Not yet!
Dialogue Between Doctor and Patient in Portuguese
Paciente: O que o senhor me recomenda, doutor?
Médico: Para o seu caso, o melhor seria uma medicina alternativa.
Paciente: Como assim?
Médico: Acupuntura e Aromaterapia são ótimas formas de tratar o estresse.
Paciente: Muito obrigada! Vou marcar uma consulta.
Patient: Doctor, what do you recommend?
Doctor: In your case, the best thing would be alternative medicine.
Patient: What do you mean?
Doctor: Acupuncture and Aromatherapy are great ways to treat stress.
Patient: Thank you very much! I’ll make an appointment.
Médica: Você vai aplicar essa pomada sobre a área dos pontos pois ajuda a cicatrização e esse remédio é para aliviar a dor.
Paciente: Muito obrigado! Existe alguma contraindicação?
Médica: Você não deve tomar o remédio junto com bebidas alcoólicas e deve evitar grandes esforços. Aqui está a bula.
Doctor: You are going to apply this ointment over the area with the stitches as it will help heal the scar, and this medicine is to help relieve the pain.
Patient: Thank you very much! Are there any contraindications or anything I shouldn’t be doing?
Doctor: You must not take the medicine with any alcoholic beverages, and you should avoid excessive force or effort. Here is the advice slip for the medication.
Exercise for Hospital in Portuguese
Complete the dialogue with the words below.
remédios – quebrei – enfermeiras – hospital – médico – repouso – alta – plano de saúde
Sylvia: Cara, você não sabe o que aconteceu ontem comigo… Eu fui pro _______.
Eduardo: Meu Deus!!! O que aconteceu?
Sylvia: Olha aqui! Eu _______ meu braço.
Eduardo: Caramba! O _______ te atendeu bem?
Sylvia: Sim. Ele e as _______ me atenderam super bem. Me deram vários _______ para dor.
Eduardo: Você precisou ficar de _______ lá?
Sylvia: Não. Foi tudo bem rápido. Tive _______ em umas 2 horas.
Eduardo: Ai que bom!
Sylvia: É… Como eu tenho _______ ___ ______ foi supertranquilo.
Eduardo: Se cuida, viu?!
That was our full class on medical vocabulary in Portuguese! Now you can talk to a doctor with confidence. So, how often do you go to the doctor? Do you prefer traditional medicine or alternative treatments?
If you have any questions about hospital vocabulary in Portuguese reach out to us on Facebook.
Warm regards from Rio & Learn.
Click on the links below to see more related Dicas
City in Portuguese
Ponto in Portuguese
Public Institutions in Brazil
Answers
Sylvia: Cara, você não sabe o que aconteceu ontem comigo… Eu fui pro hospital.
Eduardo: Meu Deus!!! O que aconteceu?
Sylvia: Olha aqui! Eu quebrei meu braço.
Eduardo: Caramba! O médico te atendeu bem?
Sylvia: Sim. O médico e as enfermeiras me atenderam super bem. Me deram vários remédios para dor.
Eduardo: Você precisou ficar de repouso lá?
Sylvia: Não. Foi tudo bem rápido. Tive alta em umas 2 horas.
Eduardo: Ai que bom!
Sylvia: É… Como eu tenho plano de saúde foi supertranquilo.
Eduardo: Se cuida, viu?!
Online Academic Coordinator at Rio & Learn Portuguese School.
Experienced educational coordinator and teacher since 2007, adept in curriculum development, creating physical and digital educational materials, and leveraging online platforms to enhance learning outcomes