At the doctor in Portugal: useful Portuguese
Centro de saúde, número de utente, SNS 24 and the phrases to explain what's wrong.
Where to go
The centro de saúde is your local health centre, where your médico de família (GP) works. For that you need a número de utente (health service number). Urgências is A&E; the farmácia is often the first stop for small problems.
The SNS 24 line (808 24 24 24) gives health advice by phone and can direct you to the right service. In an emergency, call 112.
Explaining what's wrong
Dói-me a cabeça. / Tenho dores de cabeça.
I have a headache.
Tenho febre desde ontem.
I've had a fever since yesterday.
Sou alérgico à penicilina.
I'm allergic to penicillin.
Preciso de marcar uma consulta.
I need to book an appointment.
Words you'll hear
receita (prescription), comprimido (tablet), análises (tests, usually blood tests), baixa (sick leave), em jejum (fasting).
Try thisLearn the pattern dói-me + body part: dói-me a garganta (my throat hurts). With a plural, the verb is plural too: doem-me as costas (my back hurts).
Quick check
“My back hurts” is…
Portuguese for real life in Portugal
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