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If you’re planning to live in Mexico, there’s a good chance you’ll eventually visit a doctor, dentist, hospital, or medical laboratory.
And while many doctors in Mexico speak English, especially in areas popular with foreigners, you shouldn’t assume everyone on the medical staff will.
Nurses, receptionists, laboratory technicians, and other healthcare workers may give you simple instructions in Spanish.
The good news? You don’t need to be fluent to understand some of the most common instructions.
Here are some helpful Spanish words and phrases worth learning before your next medical appointment in Mexico.
Common Instructions You Might Hear
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Arriba | Up |
| Abajo | Down |
| Levántese | Stand up / Get up |
| Siéntese | Sit down |
| Acuéstese | Lie down |
| Voltéese | Turn around / Turn over |
| Abra la boca | Open your mouth |
| Cierre la boca | Close your mouth |
| Saque la lengua | Stick out your tongue |
| Respire profundo | Take a deep breath |
| No respire | Hold your breath |
| Respire normalmente | Breathe normally |
| No se mueva | Don’t move |
| Relájese | Relax |
| Espere aquí | Wait here |
| Levante el brazo | Raise your arm |
| Baje el brazo | Lower your arm |
| Doble la rodilla | Bend your knee |
| Apriete | Squeeze |
| Suelte | Release / Let go |
| ¿Le duele? | Does it hurt? |
Words You’ll Hear at a Doctor’s Office or Hospital
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| La cita | Appointment |
| La consulta | Medical consultation |
| El doctor / La doctora | Doctor |
| La enfermera / El enfermero | Nurse |
| La receta | Prescription |
| Los medicamentos | Medications |
| La farmacia | Pharmacy |
| La presión arterial | Blood pressure |
| La temperatura | Temperature |
| Los análisis de sangre | Blood tests |
| La muestra de orina | Urine sample |
| La radiografía | X-ray |
| El ultrasonido | Ultrasound |
| La inyección | Injection |
| En ayunas | Fasting / On an empty stomach |
| La sala de espera | Waiting room |
| Urgencias | Emergency department |
| El alta médica | Medical discharge |
Helpful tip: If you’re scheduled for bloodwork and someone tells you to come en ayunas, that means you should arrive fasted. Always confirm how many hours you need to fast and whether you’re allowed to drink water or take your regular medications.
How to Explain What Hurts
One of the most useful Spanish phrases you can learn is “Me duele…” which means “My … hurts.”
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Me duele la cabeza | My head hurts |
| Me duele el estómago | My stomach hurts |
| Me duele la espalda | My back hurts |
| Me duele el pecho | My chest hurts |
| Me duele la garganta | My throat hurts |
| Tengo fiebre | I have a fever |
| Tengo náuseas | I feel nauseous |
| Estoy mareado/a | I feel dizzy |
| Tengo alergia a… | I’m allergic to… |
| Tengo dificultad para respirar | I’m having trouble breathing |
Helpful Questions You Can Ask
You may also need to ask a few questions during your appointment.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| ¿Habla inglés? | Do you speak English? |
| No entiendo | I don’t understand |
| Más despacio, por favor | Slower, please |
| ¿Puede repetirlo? | Can you repeat that? |
| ¿Cuánto cuesta la consulta? | How much is the consultation? |
| ¿Necesito una receta? | Do I need a prescription? |
| ¿Dónde está el baño? | Where is the bathroom? |
| ¿Cuándo estarán mis resultados? | When will my results be ready? |
| ¿Cómo debo tomar este medicamento? | How should I take this medication? |
| Necesito ayuda | I need help |
A Few Tips Before Your Medical Appointment in Mexico
Even if you know some basic Spanish, medical terminology can be confusing. Here are a few things I recommend:
- Keep a list of your medications and allergies. Ideally, have it available in both English and Spanish.
- Bring a translation app. Google Translate can help with everyday instructions, although you shouldn’t rely on it alone for important medical decisions.
- Ask for written instructions. Especially when it comes to medications, dosages, and follow-up appointments.
- Don’t be afraid to ask someone to repeat themselves. It’s much better to clarify something than to misunderstand medical instructions.
- Consider a bilingual doctor or medical interpreter. Especially if you’re discussing a serious diagnosis, surgery, or complicated treatment.
You Don’t Need Perfect Spanish to Get Medical Care in Mexico
One of the things I always encourage people to do before moving to Mexico is learn some basic Spanish.
You don’t have to be fluent, but knowing a few everyday phrases can make a big difference in how comfortable and independent you feel.
And healthcare is just one example.
At Mexico Relocation Guide, we’ve helped thousands of people navigate their moves to Mexico with fewer headaches and fewer surprises.
Our COMPLETE Mexico Relocation Guide includes practical information about healthcare in Mexico, health insurance, and recommendations for medical concierges in different parts of Mexico to help you make appointments and understand your billing/medical records.
It also has information on residency, housing, and much more.
You’ll also get access to our private directory of vetted contacts, including healthcare and insurance professionals who can help you navigate the system.
Learn more about the COMPLETE Mexico Relocation Guide and start planning your move to Mexico the right way.
