The Take Care Family

Phrase Book
 Insurance
Introduction The Take Care Family
This Phrase Book has the goal to help people gain new language Healthy Lifestyle / Prevention
skills related to healthcare matters in the partner countries of the
project. When people feel ill or suffer from a disease, they go to
see a doctor in order to get medical treatment. But if they don’t
Accident / Emergency / Injury
Father
speak the local language they may experience real problems while
communicating with a doctor or other healthcare personnel. The
Phrase Book will help people overcome language and cultural
barriers and enhance mutual understanding between patients and Seeing a General Practitioner
healthcare providers.

The main ‘actors’ in the Phrase Book are the members of the Take
Care family – the mother, the father, the daughter, the son and the At the Hospital
grandmother. You will see them in different situations, for example

Mother
when signing an insurance contract, going to see the doctor, paying
a visit to the dentist or getting medicines at the pharmacy. You will (Chronic) Diseases
participate in their discussions on how to lead a healthy life and hear
some good tips on health prevention.

The book is divided into 12 topics and each one of them includes At the Dentist
key words, phrases and dialogues. In addition, there is a description
of the parts of the human body and some common symptoms.

Daughter Pregnancy and Child Health

The Phrase Book is a part of the main product of the Take Care
project – the Healthcare Language Guide for Migrants – created by
partners from 8 European countries (Bulgaria, Cyprus, Germany,
Lithuania, The Netherlands, Portugal, Romania and Spain). The
Healthcare Language Guide includes also a ‘Word Fan’ and a Mental and Neurological Health
‘Medical Route’. The Word Fan provides the words from each topic
translated into 17 languages and can be used parallel to the Phrase
Book. The Medical Route gives information about the healthcare
Geriatric Health
system of the country, covering emergency, insurance, GP, baby
birth, care for elderly people, etc. Son
All learning materials, along with exercises for self-study purposes
and a Basic Language Emergency Kit helping healthcare providers Physiotherapy
communicate with migrants in emergency situations, are available
on the Take Care website: www.takecareproject.eu

IMPORTANT: Please keep in mind that the Phrase Book and the At the Pharmacy
Grandmother
other Take Care products DO NOT have the goal to teach medicine
and to be accurate in regard to any medical conditions or treatment
suggestions. All medical situations described in the book have the
sole purpose to illustrate the use of the language in the context of
Parts of the Body 13
certain healthcare issues.

Common Symptoms 14
 Insurance
The Take Care father goes to a Health Insurance Company to sign an insurance contract for his family.

RD
WO GLO
N
S I SAR
S
Y
Good morning.
What can I do for you?
H E
T

agent
annual fee
I need information about
benefits
health insurance.
copayment
coverage limits Individual or family?
health
health care facilities
health insurance Family. For me, my
health insurance card pregnant wife and our
insurance contract children - our daughter is
insurance company 14 and our son is 5.
insurance coverage Here is information on our
insurance number health plans with the insurance
intermediaries/mediator Thank you. coverage and the fees.
monthly fee
nursing service at home
own risk
Phrases
payment contribution
policy
supplementary insurance
I would like to take out an insurance contract.

How much is the annual/monthly fee?

When do I get my health insurance card?

Who is my intermediary/mediator/agent?

13 13
What are the coverage limits and the benefits?

14 14
 Healthy Lifestyle /
The Take Care family has received an information leaflet on a healthier lifestyle.

Eat healthy! Eat breakfast Eat more fruit and

Drink enough water.

Prevention
and don’t skip meals! vegetables.
It is essential for our body.
They provide you with
necessary vitamins.
N Y
S I SAR
RD S
WO GLO
TH
E
Eat/use unrefined food. Do not smoke.
active
Limit sweets, fast food
body function and alcohol.
cycling
dancing
The Take Care family is making suggestions about how to be more active.
to drink water
early detection
to eat healthy Let’s go Let’s walk.
exercises swimming. Let’s go
fast food
Let’s take dancing.
fruits
the stairs.
healthy Let’s go
healthy lifestyle I prefer
cycling.
jogging jogging.
prevention
sweets
swimming
to relax
unrefined food
vegetables
The Take Care grandmother has good ideas about prevention.
vitamins
to walk
whole grain Get regular check-ups.

Take time to relax.

Take your medication on time.

13 Be positive! 13
Enjoy life!

14 14
 Accident / Emergency /
The Take Care father is having a heart attack and the mother calls 112.

I think my husband is having a heart attack.

Injury RD
N
S I SAR
S
Y
Is he conscious?
Yes, he is.
WO GLO
TH
E

accident
What are the symptoms?
allergic reaction
ambulance He has chest pains, has numbness in
biting his left arm and he is short of breath.
bleeding
blood pressure The ambulance is on its way.
broken
to burn (my hand) First Aid Tips
chest pain
choking
conscious Heart attack Broken bone Fever
emergency Put the person in a Support the injury with A baby or child has a raised
emergency room comfortable position. cushions to prevent temperature, hot, flushed
Call 112. unnecessary movement skin and is sweating.
emergency telephone number
until the doctor arrives. Remove excess clothing
fainting and give them fluids such as
first aid water or juice.

fracture
heart attack
heart beat
Short phrases
help
injured
intensive care
numbness I fell down the stairs and hit my head.
pain
pulse
to be short of breath
I have broken my leg/my arm.
stroke
trauma I need help.
unconscious
wound
I have burnt my hand.
13 I am having an allergic reaction.
13
14 14
 Seeing a General
Phrases

I’m worried.

Practitioner
I’m going to take
your pulse.
I feel sick/weak/dizzy.
N Y
S I SAR
RD S
WO GLO
E
TH
appointment I always feel sleepy.
blood pressure I’m going to take
blood test your temperature. I cannot sleep.
complaints
dizzy
general practitioner (GP) I’ve lost weight.
flu I’m going to take your
headache blood pressure. I have a lot of stress.
high fever
ill
illness
laboratory results I’m going to dress the wound.
period (menstruation) I’m going to
pregnant give you an
prescription injection. Open your
referral letter mouth, please,
sick leave certificate and say ’aa’.
sleepy
You have to fast (do not eat or drink).
sore throat
stomachache
to drink
The Take Care mother goes to see the doctor.
to eat
to fast
to gain weight What are your complaints?
to lose weight
I don’t feel well. I vomit every morning.
to sleep
urine test Do you have a fever?
vomiting
No, I don’t. But I feel dizzy.
weak Do you have a headache?
worried Not really.
Is your period regular?
13 Not exactly. 13
I suggest you take a pregnancy test.
14 14
 At the Hospital
The Take Care father has problems with his stomach and went into hospital for some tests.
He discusses the results with the doctor.

N Y
S I SAR
RD S
WO GLO
TH
E
Do I need an operation?
allergic reaction
diagnosis
Yes. You will need to consent to it.
digestion
Please fill in this form.
doctor
emergency department Is there anything else
hospital I need to know?
intensive care room
internal medicine physician We’ll take you to the intensive care
laboratory room. Please do not eat or drink before
medical history your surgery. Do you have any allergies?
neurologist I am allergic to
nurse penicillin. How
pain killer long will I have to You will be discharged in a few days.
perform an operation stay in hospital?
specialist
surgeon
surgery After the surgery, the father has to spend a couple of days in hospital.
therapy During the daily ward round, the doctor talks to him.
to be discharged
to consent
to cure How do you feel today?
to diet
to examine I have still pain from the
to hurt surgery. I can’t go to the toilet.
to recover
to suffer from pain
Can you sleep at night?
treatment
waiting room
ward Only with pain killers.
ward round
You still need time to recover.

When can I start eating normally again?

13 You can stop your special diet once

your digestion is back to normal.
13
14 14
 (Chronic) Diseases
Phrases

N Y
RD
WO GLO
E
S I SAR
S
I feel exhausted. My knee hurts.
TH

AIDS
Alzheimer’s disease
arthritis My hands are shaking.
I have trouble sleeping.
asthma
blindness
cancer
Are you often tired? Do you eat a lot
cardiovascular disease Does anybody in
contagious
of sweet things?
your family suffer
deafness
from diabetes?
diabetes
diet
epilepsy
frequent urination
The Take Care grandmother does not feel well and goes to see the doctor.
heart failure
heredity
immune system
infection
infectious diseases
inflammation
I don’t feel well, doctor.
osteoporosis
My leg is swollen and
painful
it hurts. I have trouble
parkinson’s disease
walking. And I am
pneumonia
always thirsty! Do you sleep well?
rheumatism
shaking
to feel exhausted
Yes, but I get up to go
to suffer from diabetes
to the toilet several times
tumor
during the night.
ulcer

I will send you to the laboratory to

take some urine and blood tests
and see what the problem is.
13 13
14 14
 At the Dentist
Phrases

N
S I SAR
Y
Open your mouth, please!
RD S
WO GLO
E
TH

anaesthetic
braces
Close your mouth, please!
bridge
canine tooth Rinse your mouth, please!
cavity
chew
chipped
You need to brush your teeth better.
cleaning
crown We need to remove the nerve.
dental floss
dental x-ray
dentist The Take Care daughter has had a toothache for a couple of days and goes to see the dentist.
drill
filling I have had a toothache for a while and it’s getting worse. It’s one of my canine teeth.
fissured
implant Does it hurt all the time?
molar tooth Mostly, when I’m eating.
mouth rinse Are you sensitive to cold or heat?
numb
Yes, very much.
nerve
oral hygiene
Probably a cavity. Open your mouth
plaque
please…Yes, you need a filling! You’ll be
root canal
anaesthetized and then I’ll come back.
sensitive to cold/heat
sting The Take Care grandmother has problems with a bridge.
tartar
tooth
tooth cap
I feel my bridge loosening and food gets in. Let me see…Yes,
toothbrush
I cannot chew on this side anymore. we should replace
tooth whitening
this bridge, it is old.
You can shut your
mouth now.
What options are available nowadays?

13 13
Here is an informational leaflet
about different options.
I’ll read it carefully and get back to you.

14 14
 Pregnancy and
The Take Care mother knows that she’s pregnant and makes a list of things to ask her health insurance company.

Child Health
Are there preventive check-ups for babies?
Where can I give birth?
RD
WO GLO
N
S I SAR
S
Y
Where can I take prenatal and recovery gymnastics?
E
TH
Where can I take prenatal classes?
birth preparation
breastfeeding Which midwife services are available?
check-up What are maternity leave rights?
give birth
What are my parental leave rights?
gastrointestinal tract
gynecologist
fever
maternity care
maternity leave
measles
The Take Care son has tummy ache and vomited the whole night.
midwife His mother gets a referral letter and makes an appointment with a pediatrician.
morning sickness
mumps
pediatrician Good morning, what can
pregnancy I do for the young man?
pregnancy test
prenatal and recovery
gymnastics
He vomited the whole night and can’t eat anything.
prenatal medical checkup
smallpox Does he vomit after
to vaccinate against a disease consuming liquids as well?
to vomit
tummy ache
vaccination
No, he can drink a little bit of tea.
vaccine
Has he got a fever?

Yes, this morning 38o C.

That is quite high for the morning. He should stay in

bed. Make sure, that he drinks enough.
13 You’ll get medication to lower the fever and to
stabilize the gastro-intestinal tract. If he doesn’t get 13
better tomorrow, please come again.

14 14
 Mental and Neurological
Phrases

I have a lot of stress. You should rest.

Health RD
WO GLO
E
N
S I SAR
S
Y
I feel very anxious.

I often have panic attacks.

You should not obsess.

You should be more self-confident.

TH

addicted
anxious I have no appetite. You should do things you enjoy.
appetite
brain disorder
I often want to be alone. You should go and see a professional.
cause
concussion
depressed
I have no energy. You could join a support group.
depression
eating disorder The Take Care mother visits a neurologist because she is worried about her son.
emotional disorder
examination
fatigue Doctor, my child had a seizure while he was sleeping last night.
intoxicating
irritability Has this ever happened before?
lecture
nervous No, it hasn’t. Do you think he has a brain disorder?
nervous system
obsessive Let’s do some tests to determine the cause of the seizure.
panic attack
peer pressure
psychiatrist
The Take Care parents go to a lecture about alcohol consumption among teenagers.
psychological trauma They ask the lecturer some questions.
psychologist
seizure How does alcohol affect a person?
self-confident
stress Alcohol is an intoxicating substance that can
symptom damage the liver and the nervous system.
to damage
Why do teenagers start drinking?
to determine
to rest They often start drinking because of peer
pressure. They drink because their friends do.
13 How can we help our children? 13
Parents should be supportive and alert.

14 14
 Geriatric Health
The Take Care grandmother lost her balance and fell over at home. She visits the doctor.

ZOUT
N Y
I have a lot of pain in my arm, doctor.
S I SAR
RD S
WO GLO
E
TH

brace Do you often have this pain?

broken arm
No, I fell over and hurt myself.
broken leg
cast
Let’s go to the X-ray room to see if it is fractured.
calcium-rich
constipation Later...
dehydration
dement Hmm, unfortunately it is fractured. You should use a brace or a cast.
dementia
dizziness
How long will I need to wear the cast?
fracture For a month at least.
fractured You may have to visit a
health care of elderly people physiotherapist afterwards.
hearing aids
hypertension
The Take Care grandmother has a hearing problem and visits a specialist.
loss of balance
memory lapse
physical activity I have trouble hearing. I misunderstand I’ll examine your ears. Maybe
physiotherapist what people say and I give funny ZOUT you need to wear a hearing aid.
rehabilitation centre answers. I turn the TV volume too high.
to exercise
to prevent
x-ray room
A poster with healthy tips for seniors.

You should eat more fresh You should Reducing salt in your
fruit and vegetables to drink a lot of diet helps prevent
prevent constipation. water to prevent hypertension.
dehydration.

Engage in activities Spend time outdoors and eat

which exercise your mind calcium-rich food.
like reading or painting. This protects your bones and
prevents fractures.
13 Consider joining a
local senior group.
13
14 14
 Physiotherapy
The Take Care father has back trouble and visits a physiotherapist. The physiotherapist tells him what to do.

N Y
S I SAR
RD S
WO GLO
E
TH

backward Bend forward.

forward
massage
motility
muscles
strength Bend to your left.
to activate
to bend
to build up muscles
Bend to your right.
to hurt
to move
to relax
to relieve tension
to stretch
to take exercises
to tense Stretch your arms.

Move slowly.

Turn around.

Lie down on your front;

I’ll give you a massage.

Please, tell me if it hurts.

13 13
14 14
 At the Pharmacy
Phrases

N
S I SAR
Y Will this affect You don’t need a Please, pay
RD S
WO GLO
TH
E
other medication? prescription for attention on the
bandage
before/after/during the meals
this medicine. expiration date.
capsule
counter medicine The Take Care mother feels she is coming down with a cold and goes to the pharmacy.
cream
daily dose I feel like I am coming down with a cold and need something to build up my resistance.
disinfectant
dressings I would recommend this medication here. It is over the counter medicine.
drops
druggist Ok, what is it?
It is good for your immune system.
effervescent tablet
expiration date
homeopathic Does it cause any side effects?
No side effects.
infected
immune system Ok, it sounds good, I’ll take it.
Do you prefer drops or tablets?
leaflet (for usage)
medication
Drops please. How often should I take it? The daily dose is 20 drops in the
ointment
morning and 20 in the evening.
pain killer
Thank you, goodbye. You should take it during meals.
pharmacist
pill
plaster The Take Care father needs some ointment for his son and goes to the pharmacy.
prescription
sensitive to My son has a sore toe. It is infected. We need some ointment.
side effects
syrup He’s 5 years old. How old is your son?
tablets
to build up resistance I would recommend this one. It is a disinfectant.
to fester/ulcerate
well tolerated Ok, good. I will need some dressings as well.
Here are some small bandages.
Do you need plasters as well?
Yes, I’ll take both. Is there anything else we can do?

Keep the toe dry. So no

13 Ok, thank you.
showers for the next few days! Your son should see a
doctor if it doesn’t get
13
Thanks for your help! any better.

14 14
 Parts of the Body
head
forehead head

eyebrow
neck shoulder
eyelashes
eye
chest
arm back eyelid mouth
waist nose
hip ear
nostril cheek lip
buttocks chin throat teeth
gums
leg tongue

foot
brain

heart
skin
leg
lungs arm
liver palm
gall bladder stomach finger knee
elbow
intestines kidney
bladder ankle
foot
hand
heel

nail toe
bones

13 13
14 14
 Common Symptoms Partners

Types of pain General symptoms Mainly respiratory

www.pressureline.nl
dull fever cough
sharp nausea to cough up blood
stabbing weakness phlegm
burning fatigue runny nose www.kutu-bg.eu
cramps dizziness sore throat
drowsiness short(ness) of breath
sweats sneezing
Mainly chills
cardiovascular weight loss/gain
www.dialoge.com

thirst Related to the

chest pain
bleeding (nose) nervous system /
palpitations
appetite loss psychological
angina
swollen
a feeling of pressure in the chest
migraine
light-headed
seizure www.ifes.es
Mainly paralysis
gastrointestinal jumbled speech
Skin-related numbness
nausea fainting
rash www.flep.pt
vomiting sensitive to light
lump diarrhea amnesia
itch constipation anxiety
scar hemorrhoids depression
bruise www.synthesis-center.com
trouble sleeping
spots
insomnia
mole
confusion
swelling
delirium
redness
restlessness www.sih.lt
(sun) burn
cut

13 blister
sting January 2014

Design: Delian Rashkov www.umfiasi.ro

14 Illustrations: Nancy Kers

www.takecareproject.eu

This project has been funded with support from

the European Commission. This publication
reflects the views only of the author, and the
Commission cannot be held responsible for
any use which may be made of the information
contained therein.