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How to Describe Symptoms in English

Need a doctor while traveling or living abroad? Here are the phrases to explain what you're feeling in English — then practice them out loud until they come out naturally.

Key phrases

I'm not feeling well.
The general phrase to say something's wrong.
I have a sore throat and a runny nose.
"Sore throat" = throat pain; "runny nose" = your nose keeps dripping.
I've had a headache since yesterday.
Use "since" to say when the pain started.
It hurts right here.
Point to the spot — simple, direct, always works.
I feel dizzy and a bit nauseous.
"Dizzy" = the room spins; "nauseous" = you feel like being sick.
I'm allergic to penicillin.
Essential for warning about drug allergies: "allergic to…"
Do I need a prescription for this?
A "prescription" is the doctor's note you need for some medicines.

Tip: In everyday English you rarely say "I have pain" — the natural phrase is "it hurts," and fever takes "a": "I have a fever." Also, "constipated" does NOT mean you have a cold — a cold is "a cold."

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