Beim Arzt und in der Apotheke
Doctor & Pharmacy
In Germany you typically need an appointment (Termin) for a GP visit. Receptionists expect your name, insurance type (gesetzlich = public, privat = private), and a brief reason for the visit. Pharmacies (Apotheke) are separate from supermarkets — nothing is freely accessible, you must ask at the counter.
Ich habe einen Termin um zehn Uhr.
I have an appointment at ten o'clock.
Grammar
verb position 2
Basic declarative sentence. 'Ich' is position 1, 'habe' is position 2. This is the most important sentence to know when arriving at a doctor's office.
Ich bin gesetzlich versichert.
I am publicly insured.
Grammar
verb position 2
'Versichert' is a past participle used as an adjective here. 'Gesetzlich' = public insurance, 'privat versichert' = privately insured. Receptionists always ask this.
Mir ist seit gestern schlecht.
I have been feeling unwell since yesterday.
Grammar
seit present tense
'Seit' (since/for) with the present tense describes an ongoing condition that started in the past and is still happening. In English we'd use present perfect ('have been feeling'), but German uses present tense.
Ich habe Kopfschmerzen, weil ich schlecht geschlafen habe.
I have a headache because I slept badly.
Grammar
nebensatz weil perfekt
In a 'weil' Nebensatz with Perfekt tense, the past participle comes before the auxiliary. So 'habe geschlafen' in normal order becomes 'geschlafen habe' at the end of the subordinate clause.
Ich soll dieses Medikament dreimal täglich nehmen.
I should take this medication three times a day.
Grammar
modal sollen
'Sollen' expresses an instruction from someone else — here the doctor. The infinitive 'nehmen' goes to the end. This is different from 'müssen' which expresses personal necessity.
Das Rezept bekomme ich vom Arzt.
I get the prescription from the doctor.
Grammar
inversion
The object 'Das Rezept' is placed at position 1 for emphasis. The verb 'bekomme' stays at position 2, and the subject 'ich' shifts to position 3. The verb always holds position 2.
Ich bin allergisch gegen Penicillin.
I am allergic to penicillin.
Grammar
verb position 2
'Allergisch gegen' + accusative is the fixed structure for stating allergies. This sentence could save your life — worth memorising exactly.
Die Schmerzen werden stärker, deshalb gehe ich zum Arzt.
The pain is getting stronger, so I am going to the doctor.
Grammar
deshalb inversion
'Deshalb' signals a consequence and takes position 1 in the second clause, pushing the verb to position 2 and the subject to position 3. This inversion pattern is fixed and consistent.
Ich kann den Arm nicht heben, weil er wehtut.
I cannot lift my arm because it hurts.
Grammar
modal negation nebensatz
Two concepts together: modal verb 'kann' with infinitive 'heben' at the end, then a 'weil' clause where 'wehtut' (separable: wehtun) goes to the end. Negation 'nicht' comes before the infinitive.
Obwohl ich Fieber habe, muss ich arbeiten gehen.
Although I have a fever, I have to go to work.
Grammar
nebensatz obwohl
'Obwohl' (although) clause comes first — verb 'habe' goes to the end. Then the main clause inverts: 'muss' (modal) at position 1 before the subject 'ich'. The infinitive 'gehen' goes to the end of the main clause.
Der Arzt sagt, dass ich mich ausruhen soll.
The doctor says that I should rest.
Grammar
nebensatz dass modal
In a 'dass' clause with a modal verb, both the modal and the infinitive go to the end. The infinitive comes before the modal: 'ausruhen soll' — not 'soll ausruhen'.
Ich nehme das Medikament, weil der Arzt es empfohlen hat.
I am taking the medication because the doctor recommended it.
Grammar
nebensatz weil perfekt
Perfekt in a 'weil' clause: the past participle 'empfohlen' comes before the auxiliary 'hat' at the end of the clause. This is the reverse of normal Perfekt order.
Ich habe seit einer Woche Halsschmerzen.
I have had a sore throat for a week.
Grammar
seit present tense
Again 'seit' with present tense for an ongoing symptom. 'Seit einer Woche' (for a week) — 'einer' is dative because 'seit' always takes the dative case.
Das Medikament gibt es nur auf Rezept, deshalb brauche ich einen Arzttermin.
The medication is only available on prescription, so I need a doctor's appointment.
Grammar
deshalb inversion
'Gibt es' used here to express availability. Then 'deshalb' triggers inversion in the consequence clause: 'brauche ich' not 'ich brauche'.
Ich wollte früher kommen, aber der Termin war ausgebucht.
I wanted to come earlier but the appointment was fully booked.
Grammar
prateritum modal
Modal verbs use Präteritum (simple past) in spoken German rather than Perfekt. 'Wollte' = wanted to. The infinitive 'kommen' still goes to the end. 'Aber' doesn't change word order.
Kann ich heute noch einen Termin bekommen?
Can I still get an appointment today?
Grammar
modal question
Yes/no question with modal: 'Kann' at position 1, subject 'ich' at position 2, infinitive 'bekommen' at the end. The most important phrase when you need a same-day appointment.
Wo ist die nächste Apotheke?
Where is the nearest pharmacy?
Grammar
w frage
Simple W-question. 'Nächste' (nearest) is an adjective with weak ending after the definite article 'die'. Essential phrase to know in any new city.
Haben Sie etwas gegen Kopfschmerzen?
Do you have something for headaches?
Grammar
ja nein frage
Yes/no question at the pharmacy. 'Gegen' + accusative is used for remedies — the same structure as 'allergisch gegen'. 'Etwas gegen' = something for/against.
Was sind die Nebenwirkungen?
What are the side effects?
Grammar
w frage
Direct W-question. 'Nebenwirkungen' (side effects) is a compound noun: Neben (side) + Wirkungen (effects). German commonly builds new words by combining existing ones.
Wie oft soll ich die Tabletten nehmen?
How often should I take the tablets?
Grammar
w frage modal
W-question with modal: question word at position 1, modal 'soll' at position 2, subject at position 3, infinitive at end. 'Wie oft' (how often) is treated as one unit.
Brauche ich dafür ein Rezept?
Do I need a prescription for that?
Grammar
ja nein frage
Yes/no question — verb first. 'Dafür' = for that (da + für, a da-compound). These are used instead of 'für das' when referring to something already mentioned.
Kann ich dieses Medikament mit Alkohol nehmen?
Can I take this medication with alcohol?
Grammar
modal question
Modal question asking about possibility/permission. 'Kann' at position 1, infinitive 'nehmen' at end. Practical and important question at any pharmacy.
Wann sind Sie das nächste Mal wieder da?
When will you be here again next time?
Grammar
w frage
W-question with 'wann' (when). Useful for knowing when the doctor is next available. 'Das nächste Mal' (next time) is a fixed time expression.
Darf ich Sport machen, wenn ich diese Tabletten nehme?
May I exercise while taking these tablets?
Grammar
modal question wenn
'Wenn' (when/if) introduces a conditional Nebensatz — verb 'nehme' goes to the end. The main question uses 'darf' (permission). Two verb-end structures in one sentence.
Wissen Sie, ob dieses Medikament rezeptfrei ist?
Do you know whether this medication is available without prescription?
Grammar
indirect question ob
Indirect question with 'ob' (whether). Polite way to ask. The 'ob' clause has the verb at the end. 'Rezeptfrei' = without prescription (Rezept + frei, literally prescription-free).
Können Sie mir sagen, was ich gegen Fieber nehmen soll?
Can you tell me what I should take for a fever?
Grammar
indirect w question modal
Indirect W-question with a modal inside the embedded clause. In the embedded clause, the infinitive 'nehmen' comes before the modal 'soll' — both go to the end, infinitive first.
Wie lange dauert es, bis das Mittel wirkt?
How long does it take until the medication works?
Grammar
bis nebensatz
'Bis' (until) is a subordinating conjunction — it sends the verb to the end of its clause ('wirkt'). 'Es' here is a dummy subject referring to the general situation, not a specific thing.
Warum schmerzt das Knie, obwohl ich mich nicht verletzt habe?
Why does my knee hurt even though I haven't injured myself?
Grammar
w frage obwohl
W-question combined with an 'obwohl' clause. The 'obwohl' clause has Perfekt at the end: 'verletzt habe' — past participle before auxiliary, as always in a Nebensatz.
Gibt es ein günstigeres Generikum?
Is there a cheaper generic version?
Grammar
gibt es
'Gibt es' for existence, again. 'Günstigeres' is the comparative of 'günstig' (cheap/affordable) with a neuter ending because 'Generikum' is neuter. Comparatives add -er + case ending.
Soll ich morgen nüchtern zur Blutabnahme kommen?
Should I come fasting for the blood draw tomorrow?
Grammar
modal question
Modal 'soll' in a yes/no question — asking about an instruction. 'Nüchtern' (fasting/sober) and 'Blutabnahme' (blood draw) are essential medical vocabulary. Note 'zur' = zu + der (dative).