Greek Health Vocabulary: Doctor, Pharmacy and Emergencies
Greek words and phrases for symptoms, body parts, doctors and pharmacies, plus emergency numbers in Greece.
When you're unwell, being able to explain how you feel matters. Here is the essential vocabulary.
People and places
- ο γιατρός — doctor
- ο παθολόγος — general physician
- ο οδοντίατρος — dentist
- ο νοσοκόμος / η νοσοκόμα — nurse
- ο φαρμακοποιός — pharmacist
- το νοσοκομείο — hospital
- το φαρμακείο — pharmacy (marked with a green cross)
- το ιατρείο — doctor's surgery
- το κέντρο υγείας — health centre
- τα επείγοντα — emergency department
Body parts
το κεφάλι (head), το μάτι (eye), το αυτί (ear), η μύτη (nose), το στόμα (mouth), το δόντι (tooth), ο λαιμός (throat, neck), το χέρι (hand, arm), το πόδι (foot, leg), η πλάτη (back), το στομάχι (stomach), η καρδιά (heart), το στήθος (chest).
Describing symptoms
- Έχω πονοκέφαλο. — I have a headache.
- Με πονάει το στομάχι μου. — My stomach hurts.
- Με πονάει ο λαιμός μου. — I have a sore throat.
- Με πονάει η πλάτη μου. — My back hurts.
- Έχω πυρετό. — I have a fever.
- Έχω βήχα. — I have a cough.
- Είμαι κρυωμένος / κρυωμένη. — I have a cold.
- Έχω γρίπη. — I have the flu.
- Νιώθω ναυτία. — I feel nauseous.
- Ζαλίζομαι. — I feel dizzy.
- Έχω διάρροια. — I have diarrhoea.
- Είμαι αλλεργικός / αλλεργική σε ... — I'm allergic to...
- Έσπασα το χέρι μου. — I broke my arm.
- Κόπηκα. — I cut myself.
General phrases
- Δεν νιώθω καλά. — I don't feel well.
- Είμαι άρρωστος / άρρωστη. — I'm ill.
- Χρειάζομαι γιατρό. — I need a doctor.
- Από πότε; — Since when?
- Εδώ και δύο μέρες. — For two days.
- Παίρνω φάρμακα. — I take medication.
At the pharmacy
- το φάρμακο — medicine
- η συνταγή — prescription
- τα χάπια — pills
- η αλοιφή — ointment
- το παυσίπονο — painkiller
- το σιρόπι — syrup
- ο επίδεσμος / το τσιρότο — bandage / plaster
- Έχετε κάτι για τον πονοκέφαλο; — Do you have something for a headache?
- Πόσες φορές την ημέρα; — How many times a day?
- Πριν ή μετά το φαγητό; — Before or after food?
Pharmacists in Greece can help with minor ailments. A rota of night and weekend pharmacies (εφημερεύον φαρμακείο) is posted on pharmacy doors.
Emergency numbers
- 112 — European emergency number
- 166 — ambulance (EKAB)
- 100 — police
- 199 — fire brigade
Check current details before you travel.
Emergencies
- Βοήθεια! — Help!
- Καλέστε ασθενοφόρο! — Call an ambulance!
- Είναι επείγον. — It's urgent.
- Έγινε ατύχημα. — There's been an accident.
- Δεν αναπνέει. — He/she isn't breathing.
Insurance
Visitors from EU countries usually carry a European Health Insurance Card, and other travellers need travel insurance. Keep insurance details and a list of medications with you.
Practical tips
- Learn your allergies in Greek.
- Keep a list of medications and doses.
- Ask the pharmacist first for minor issues.
This article is for language learning, not medical advice.
Look up health words offline with English Greek Dictionary →
English Greek Dictionary
Offline English–Greek dictionary with meanings in proper Greek script
More about English Greek Dictionary
Greek Bureaucracy and Work Vocabulary: ΑΦΜ, ΑΜΚΑ and ΚΕΠ
Greek words for jobs, contracts and official paperwork, including the tax number, social security number and citizen service centres, with common forms and phrases.
Read article →Greek Clothing, Sizes and Shopping for Clothes
Greek clothing vocabulary, how to ask for sizes and try things on, and phrases for fit, style, sales and returns.
Read article →Greek Family Words: Κουμπάρος, Γαμπρός and Νύφη
Greek vocabulary for relatives and in-laws, words with several meanings like γαμπρός and νύφη, and the important role of godparents (κουμπάροι and νονοί).
Read article →The Greek School System: Vocabulary and the Panhellenic Exams
The stages of education in Greece, the vocabulary of schools, cram schools (φροντιστήρια) and the national university entrance exams, plus phrases for parents and students.
Read article →