Making a clinic appointment when you feel unwell | Learn Dutch in English

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Use Making a clinic appointment when you feel unwell to practice Dutch conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Ik hoest en voel me vandaag moe.

ik HOOST un fool muh vun-DAHKH MOO. I have a cough and feel tired today.

Je moet de kliniek bellen en om een afspraak vragen.

yuh MOOT duh klee-NEEK BELL-un un om un uhf-SPRAHKH VRAH-khun. You should call the clinic and ask for an appointment.

Wat moet ik zeggen als ik bel?

vut MOOT ik ZEH-ghun uhlz ik BELL? What should I say when I call?

Zeg dat je je niet goed voelt en graag een dokter wilt zien.

ZEHGH daht yuh yuh NEET KHOOT FOOLT un KHRAHKH un DOK-tur vilt ZEEN. Tell them you feel unwell and would like to see a doctor.

Ik wil ook vragen welke tijden beschikbaar zijn.

ik vil ohk VRAH-khun WELL-kuh TIGHT-un buh-SKHEE-kh-bahr zine. I also want to ask what times are available.

Dat helpt hen een afspraak te vinden die voor jou uitkomt.

daht HELPT hun un uhf-SPRAHKH tuh VIN-dun dee voor yow OWT-khoomt. That will help them find an appointment that works for you.

Ik ga de kliniek nu bellen.

ik KHAHN duh klee-NEEK noo BELL-un. I will call the clinic now.

Schrijf je klachten op, zodat je ze duidelijk kunt uitleggen.

SKH-RIFE yuh KLAHKH-tun OP, zoh-DAHT yuh zuh DOY-duh-luk kuhnt OWT-LEKH-un. Write your symptoms down so you can explain them clearly.

Word by Word

Ik “Ik” means “I” and identifies the speaker in “Ik hoest”. It is used as the subject before the verb. You use it when talking about yourself, including when describing symptoms.

hoest In “Ik hoest”, “hoest” means “cough” and describes the speaker’s symptom as an action. With “Ik” as the subject, this is the verb form used here. It is useful when telling a clinic what symptom you have.

en “En” connects two pieces of information: “Ik hoest” and “voel me vandaag moe”. It has the meaning “and” here. Use it to join symptoms, actions, or descriptions.

voel In “voel me”, “voel” means “feel” and describes the speaker’s condition. The form appears with “Ik” in “Ik hoest en voel me vandaag moe”. This pattern is useful for describing how you feel.

me In “voel me”, “me” refers back to the speaker and is part of the expression meaning “feel”. It shows whose condition is being described. The same kind of pronoun can occur with a verb describing a person’s own state.

vandaag “Vandaag” means “today” and specifies when the speaker feels tired. It is a time word placed in “voel me vandaag moe”. Use it to connect an event or condition with the current day.

moe “Moe” means “tired” and describes the speaker in “voel me vandaag moe”. It appears after the expression for feeling. You can use it when explaining low energy or tiredness to someone.

Je “Je” means “you” and identifies the person receiving the advice in “Je moet de kliniek bellen”. It is the subject before the modal verb “moet”. Use it when giving this kind of direct advice to one person.

moet “Moet” expresses that someone should or must do something in “Je moet de kliniek bellen”. With “je”, it is followed by the infinitive “bellen”. This pattern is useful for giving advice or stating an obligation.

de “De” is the definite article meaning “the” in “de kliniek”. It introduces the specific clinic being discussed. Use it before this noun when referring to that known clinic.

kliniek “Kliniek” means “clinic” in “de kliniek bellen”. It names the medical place that the person should contact. It is useful when arranging medical help or an appointment.

bellen “Bellen” means “call” and is the infinitive after “moet” in “Je moet de kliniek bellen”. It also follows “ga” in “Ik ga de kliniek nu bellen”. Use it with a person or organization that you intend to contact by phone.

om In “om een afspraak vragen”, “om” introduces what is being requested. The complete expression means asking for an appointment, so “om” should be kept with the requested item. This pattern is useful when asking for something specific.

een “Een” means “a” or “an” in “een afspraak”. It introduces one appointment without identifying a particular appointment yet. Use it before a singular noun when referring to one non-specific item.

afspraak “Afspraak” means “appointment” in “een afspraak”. It refers here to a scheduled visit at the clinic. The phrase “een afspraak” is useful when arranging a time to meet a doctor or service.

vragen “Vragen” means “ask” in “om een afspraak vragen”. It is the infinitive used in this request expression. Use it when requesting information or asking for something, such as an appointment.

Wat “Wat” means “what” in “Wat moet ik zeggen”. It asks for the words or information needed. Use it at the beginning of a question when asking what someone should say or do.

zeggen “Zeggen” means “say” in “Wat moet ik zeggen”. It is the infinitive after “moet”. This pattern is useful when asking which words to use in a conversation.

als “Als” means “when” in “als ik bel” and introduces the situation in which the speaker calls. It links the question to the time of calling. Use it before a clause describing when an action happens.

bel In “als ik bel”, “bel” means “call” and describes the speaker’s action. With “ik” as the subject, this is the verb form used here. It is useful when explaining what you will say during a phone call.

Zeg “Zeg” means “tell” or “say” in “Zeg dat je je niet goed voelt”. It gives a direct instruction about what message to communicate. Use it when telling someone which information to give another person.

dat In “Zeg dat je je niet goed voelt”, “dat” introduces the message that should be communicated. It means “that” here. Use it after a verb such as “Zeg” when introducing what someone should say.

niet “Niet” makes the description negative in “je je niet goed voelt”. Here it changes “goed” into “not well”. Use it to negate a description or action.

goed In “je je niet goed voelt”, “goed” contributes the meaning “well” to the description of how someone feels. Together with “niet”, the phrase means feeling unwell. This expression is useful when reporting that you are not feeling well.

voelt In “je je niet goed voelt”, “voelt” means “feels” and describes the person’s condition. It appears with “je” in the clause introduced by “dat”. Use this form when describing how another person feels.

graag “Graag” adds the idea of willingness or preference in “graag een dokter wilt zien”. Together with “wilt zien”, it helps express “would like to see”. Use it with an action someone is happy or willing to do.

dokter “Dokter” means “doctor” in “een dokter wilt zien”. It names the medical professional the speaker wants to see. It is useful when requesting medical care or an examination.

wilt “Wilt” means “want” or “would like” in “je ... graag een dokter wilt zien”. With “je”, it is followed by the infinitive “zien”. This pattern is useful for expressing someone’s wish or intention.

zien “Zien” means “see” in “een dokter wilt zien”. It is the infinitive after “wilt”. Use it when talking about seeing a doctor or another person.

wil “Wil” means “want” in “Ik wil ook vragen”. It expresses the speaker’s intention to ask something and is followed by “vragen”. Use it to state what you want to do.

ook “Ook” means “also” in “Ik wil ook vragen”. It adds this request to the actions already mentioned. Use it to include another related action or point.

welke “Welke” means “which” in “welke tijden beschikbaar zijn”. It asks the listener to identify particular times from the available options. Use it before a noun when asking which items or times are meant.

tijden “Tijden” means “times” in “welke tijden beschikbaar zijn”. It refers to possible appointment times. This is the plural form related to “tijd”, and it is useful when asking about several scheduling options.

beschikbaar “Beschikbaar” means “available” in “welke tijden beschikbaar zijn”. It describes whether the appointment times can be used or booked. Use it when asking about open times, places, or services.

zijn In “welke tijden beschikbaar zijn”, “zijn” means “are” and links the times with the description “beschikbaar”. It appears at the end of this clause. Use it to describe the state or availability of plural things.

helpt “Helpt” means “helps” in “Dat helpt hen”. It describes what the information about available times does for the clinic staff. With “Dat” as the subject, it is the verb form used here.

hen “Hen” means “them” in “Dat helpt hen”. It refers to the people at the clinic who will find a suitable appointment. Use it after a verb when those people receive the help or action.

te In “te vinden”, “te” marks the infinitive that completes the idea of helping someone. The expression “helpt hen een afspraak te vinden” means helps them find an appointment. It is useful before an infinitive in this type of construction.

vinden “Vinden” means “find” in “een afspraak te vinden”. It describes locating an appointment that suits the person. Use it with an object such as an appointment, time, or other item being located.

die In “een afspraak die voor jou uitkomt”, “die” means “that” or “which” and introduces information about the appointment. It connects the noun “afspraak” to the clause describing its suitability. Use it to add a relative clause after a noun.

voor In “voor jou uitkomt”, “voor” means “for” and identifies the person for whom the appointment is suitable. It is followed here by “jou”. Use it to show who benefits from or is affected by something.

jou “Jou” means “you” in “voor jou uitkomt”. It identifies the person for whom the appointment works. This form is used after the preposition “voor” in this expression.

uitkomt In “die voor jou uitkomt”, “uitkomt” means “works out” or “is suitable”. It describes an appointment that fits the person’s needs or schedule. The form belongs to the expression “voor jou uitkomt”, which is useful when discussing a suitable time or arrangement.

ga In “Ik ga de kliniek nu bellen”, “ga” helps express a planned or immediate action. Together with the infinitive “bellen”, the full construction means “I will call the clinic now”. Use this pattern to say what you are about to do or plan to do.

nu “Nu” means “now” in “Ik ga de kliniek nu bellen”. It specifies that the calling will happen at the present time. Use it when an action is happening immediately or very soon.

Schrijf “Schrijf” means “write” in “Schrijf je klachten op”. It gives a direct instruction to record the symptoms. Use it when telling someone to write something down.

klachten “Klachten” means “symptoms” in “Schrijf je klachten op”. In this medical context, it refers to the problems or complaints the person is experiencing. This is the plural form related to “klacht” and is useful when listing health problems.

op In “Schrijf je klachten op”, “op” completes the expression meaning “write down” or “note”. It should be understood together with “Schrijf” rather than as a separate direction. Use this construction when recording information for later explanation.

zodat “Zodat” means “so that” in “zodat je ze duidelijk kunt uitleggen”. It introduces the purpose of writing the symptoms down. Use it to connect an action with the result or purpose it is intended to support.

ze In “je ze duidelijk kunt uitleggen”, “ze” means “them” and refers to “klachten”. It is the thing that the person will explain. Use it when referring back to previously mentioned plural items.

duidelijk “Duidelijk” means “clearly” in “ze duidelijk kunt uitleggen”. It describes how the symptoms should be explained. Use it to show that information is understandable and expressed without confusion.

kunt “Kunt” means “can” in “je ze duidelijk kunt uitleggen”. With “je”, it expresses the ability to explain the symptoms and is followed by “uitleggen”. This pattern is useful for saying what someone is able to do.

uitleggen “Uitleggen” means “explain” in “ze duidelijk kunt uitleggen”. It is the infinitive after “kunt” and refers to describing the symptoms clearly. Use it when giving details so another person can understand a situation.

Grammar Points

Scheidbaar werkwoord: opschrijven → schrijf ... op

Schrijf de klachten op.

SKH-RIFE duh KLAHKH-tun OP.

Write down the symptoms.

In a main clause, opschrijven splits: the conjugated verb comes first and op moves to the end.

Dutch Vocabulary

afspraak noun

uhf-SPRAHKH appointment

bellen verb

BELL-un to call bel

telefonically calling someone or an institution

dokter noun

DOK-tur doctor

graag adv

KHRAHKH gladly; would like to

hoesten verb

HOOS-tun to cough hoest

kliniek noun

klee-NEEK clinic

moe adj

MOO tired

niet goed phrase

NEET KHOOT unwell

vragen verb

VRAH-khun to ask vraag

zeggen verb

ZEH-ghun to say zeg

zich voelen verb

zikh FOOL-un to feel voel me

zien verb

ZEEN to see

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

I will call the clinic now.

Show Answer

Ik ga de kliniek nu bellen.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

appointment

Show Answer

afspraak

to ask

Show Answer

vraag

to cough

Show Answer

hoest

clinic

Show Answer

kliniek