Navigating a Clinic Visit | Learn Chinese in English

About This Lesson

Use Navigating a Clinic Visit to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

我预约了去诊所看病。

wǒ yùyuē le qù zhěnsuǒ kànbìng. I have a clinic appointment.

但我不确定首先要做什么。

dàn wǒ bú quèdìng shǒuxiān yào zuò shénme. But I am not sure what to do first.

先去前台，把你的医保卡给他们看。

xiān qù qiántái, bǎ nǐ de yībǎokǎ gěi tāmen kàn. Start at reception and show them your insurance card.

在见护士之前，我需要填写表格吗？

zài jiàn hùshi zhīqián, wǒ xūyào tiánxiě biǎogé ma? Will I need to fill out a form before I see the nurse?

可能需要，尤其是如果这是你第一次来。

kěnéng xūyào, yóuqí shì rúguǒ zhè shì nǐ dì yí cì lái. Probably, especially if this is your first visit.

之后我应该在主候诊室等吗？

zhīhòu wǒ yīnggāi zài zhǔ hòuzhěnshì děng ma? Should I wait in the main waiting room after that?

待在那里，除非前台让你去别的地方。

dāi zài nàlǐ, chúfēi qiántái ràng nǐ qù bié de dìfang. Stay there unless reception sends you somewhere else.

我不知道流程时会感到紧张。

wǒ bù zhīdào liúchéng shí huì gǎndào jǐnzhāng. I feel nervous when I do not know the procedure.

这很正常。你可以请工作人员解释每一步。

zhè hěn zhèngcháng. nǐ kěyǐ qǐng gōngzuò rényuán jiěshì měi yí bù. That is normal. You can ask the staff to explain each step.

我会早点到，这样就有足够的时间填写相关表格。

wǒ huì zǎodiǎn dào, zhèyàng jiù yǒu zúgòu de shíjiān tiánxiě xiāngguān biǎogé. I will arrive early so I have enough time for the paperwork.

多留一点时间，整个就诊过程应该不会那么赶。

duō liú yìdiǎn shíjiān, zhěnggè jiùzhěn guòchéng yīnggāi bú huì nàme gǎn. Extra time should make the appointment feel less rushed.

Word by Word

我 “我” refers to the speaker, meaning “I” in “我预约了去诊所看病” and “我不确定首先要做什么”. It commonly appears before the action or feeling being described, such as “我会早点到” when telling staff or another person about your own plans.

预约 “预约” means to make an appointment in “我预约了去诊所看病”. It is commonly used before a place or service, and you can use it when arranging a clinic visit in advance.

了 In “我预约了去诊所看病”, “了” shows that the appointment has been made and the situation now holds. It follows the action in this sentence, so the listener understands that the appointment is already arranged.

去 “去” indicates going to a place for a purpose in “去诊所看病”. It commonly comes before a destination and an activity, as in the reusable pattern “去诊所看病” when describing a medical visit.

诊所 “诊所” means “clinic” in “去诊所看病”. It is the destination after “去”, and you can use it when telling someone where you will receive medical care.

看病 “看病” means receiving medical care or seeing a doctor in “去诊所看病”. It commonly follows a destination such as “去诊所”, and it is useful when explaining the purpose of a visit.

但 “但” introduces a contrast in “但我不确定首先要做什么”, meaning “but”. It commonly links a previous fact with a concern or different point, as when an appointment exists but the procedure is unclear.

不 “不” makes “确定” negative in “我不确定首先要做什么”, meaning that the speaker is not sure. It is placed before the word or phrase being negated, here before “确定”.

确定 “确定” means to be sure or certain in “我不确定首先要做什么”. The pattern “不确定+疑问内容” is useful when you do not know which action should come next.

首先 “首先” means “first” or “to begin with” in “首先要做什么”. It marks the earliest step in a sequence and is useful when asking for the correct starting point of a procedure.

要 “要” indicates what the speaker needs to do in “首先要做什么”. It appears before the action “做”, and the pattern “要做什么” is useful when asking what action is required.

做 “做” means “do” in “首先要做什么”. It is followed by “什么” here, forming “做什么”, a common way to ask which action to take.

什么 “什么” asks what action is meant in “要做什么”. It follows “做” in this phrase, and the pattern “做什么” is useful when asking someone to clarify an activity.

先 “先” means “first” in “先去前台”. It places one action before other actions, so it is useful when giving the first instruction during a visit.

前台 “前台” refers to the reception desk or the reception staff in “先去前台”. It commonly follows “去” when directing someone to check in at a clinic or another service location.

把 “把” marks “你的医保卡” as the object being handled in “把你的医保卡给他们看”. The pattern “把+object+给+person+看” is useful when telling someone to present a specific item.

你 “你” refers to the person being addressed in “你的医保卡”. It commonly appears before “的” to identify something belonging to the listener.

的 “的” links “你” with “医保卡” in “你的医保卡”, showing that the card belongs to the person being addressed. The pattern “你+的+item” is useful when identifying the listener’s document or possession.

医保卡 “医保卡” means a health insurance card in “把你的医保卡给他们看”. It is the document presented at reception, so this word is useful when checking in for medical care.

给 In “给他们看”, “给” introduces the people who should see the card. The pattern “给+person+看” is useful when showing an item to staff or another person.

他们 “他们” refers to the reception staff in “给他们看”. It follows “给” as the people who receive the action of being shown the insurance card.

看 In “给他们看”, “看” means to look at something, and the whole phrase means to show it to them. The reusable pattern “给+person+看” keeps the person before “看” when asking someone to view an item.

在 “在” places an action before a time or event in “在见护士之前”. Here it introduces the point before seeing the nurse, and the pattern “在+event+之前” is useful for describing what happens earlier.

见 “见” means see or meet in “见护士”. It is the event that follows “在” and comes before “之前”, so it is useful when referring to meeting a medical professional.

护士 “护士” means nurse in “见护士”. It is the person the speaker expects to meet, and it can follow “见” when describing that part of a clinic visit.

之前 “之前” means “before” in “在见护士之前”. It marks the time before a specified event, and the pattern “在+event+之前” is useful when asking about an earlier requirement.

需要 “需要” means need in “我需要填写表格吗”. It appears before the required action “填写表格”, and the pattern “需要+action” is useful when asking whether a task is required.

填写 “填写” means fill out in “填写表格”. It commonly comes before the document being completed, as in “填写表格” when completing clinic paperwork.

表格 “表格” means form in “填写表格”. It follows “填写” as the object of the action, and you can use this phrase when discussing documents required before an appointment.

吗 “吗” turns “我需要填写表格” into a yes-or-no question in “我需要填写表格吗”. It is placed at the end of the sentence when asking staff or another person for confirmation.

可能 “可能” expresses uncertainty in “可能需要”, meaning that the form may be required. It commonly appears before the action or state being considered, and it is useful when the speaker cannot give a definite answer.

尤其 “尤其” means “especially” in “尤其是如果这是你第一次来”. It highlights the first-visit situation as particularly relevant, and it commonly introduces a condition or case that deserves extra attention.

是 “是” links “这” with “你第一次来” in “这是你第一次来”, identifying the situation as the listener’s first visit. It commonly appears after a subject when stating what a situation or thing is.

如果 “如果” introduces a condition in “如果这是你第一次来”, meaning “if this is your first visit”. It commonly comes before the condition, which helps explain when the preceding advice is more likely to apply.

这 “这” refers to the current visit in “这是你第一次来”. It points to the situation being discussed, and the pattern “这是+description” is useful when identifying the present situation.

第一次 “第一次” means “first time” in “这是你第一次来”. It identifies this visit as the listener’s initial visit, and it is useful when explaining why extra paperwork or instructions may be expected.

来 “来” means come in “你第一次来”. It describes the listener coming to the clinic, and it can be used after a time or frequency expression when describing someone’s visits.

之后 “之后” means “after that” in “之后我应该在主候诊室等吗”. It refers back to the preceding paperwork step and is useful for asking what should happen next in an ordered process.

应该 “应该” asks what action is expected in “我应该在主候诊室等吗”. It commonly appears before the action, and the pattern “应该+action+吗” is useful when checking instructions politely.

主 “主” means “main” in “主候诊室”. It identifies the primary waiting room rather than an unspecified room, and it appears directly before the place noun it describes.

候诊室 “候诊室” means waiting room in “主候诊室”. It is the place where the visitor should wait after checking in, so it is useful when asking where to remain before being called.

等 “等” means wait in “在主候诊室等吗”. It describes remaining there until the next instruction, and the pattern “在+place+等” is useful when asking where to wait.

待 “待” means stay or remain in “待在那里”. It gives an instruction to remain in the current place, and it is useful when staff may later direct the visitor somewhere else.

那里 “那里” means “there” in “待在那里”. It refers to the main waiting room already mentioned, and it commonly follows a verb such as “待” when telling someone to remain at a location.

除非 “除非” introduces the exception in “除非前台让你去别的地方”, meaning “unless reception sends you somewhere else”. It is useful for giving a general instruction together with the condition that changes it.

让 “让” means have or direct someone to do something in “前台让你去别的地方”. It comes before the person “你” and the following action, forming the pattern “让+person+action” for instructions or directions.

别的 “别的” means “other” or “different” in “别的地方”. It modifies “地方” and identifies a place different from the waiting room already mentioned.

地方 “地方” means place in “去别的地方”. It follows “别的” to describe another location, and this phrase is useful when explaining that staff may redirect a visitor.

知道 “知道” means know in “我不知道流程”. It is negated by “不” to show that the speaker lacks information, and the pattern “不知道+内容” is useful when the procedure has not been explained.

流程 “流程” means the procedure or process in “我不知道流程”. It refers to the sequence of steps in the clinic visit, so it is useful when asking staff to clarify what happens next.

时 “时” means “when” in “我不知道流程时会感到紧张”. It introduces the situation in which the feeling occurs, and the pattern “……时+会……” is useful for describing a response to a condition.

会 “会” indicates that the speaker tends to feel something under the condition in “流程时会感到紧张”. It appears before “感到”, and the pattern “……时会+feeling” is useful for describing a likely reaction.

感到 “感到” means feel in “会感到紧张”. It introduces the feeling that results from not knowing the procedure, and it commonly comes before an emotion or physical state.

紧张 “紧张” means nervous or tense in “感到紧张”. It follows “感到” as the speaker’s emotional response, and it is useful when describing anxiety before an unfamiliar appointment.

很 “很” means “very” or “quite” in “这很正常”. It strengthens the description “正常”, and it commonly appears before an adjective or state when reassuring someone.

正常 “正常” means normal in “这很正常”. It reassures the speaker that feeling nervous is an ordinary response, and it is useful when responding supportively to someone’s concern.

可以 “可以” means can or may in “你可以请工作人员解释每一步”. It presents the suggested action as available to the listener, and the pattern “可以+action” is useful when offering a practical option.

请 “请” politely asks the staff to do something in “请工作人员解释每一步”. It comes before the person being asked and the requested action, forming the pattern “请+person+action” for a courteous request.

工作人员 “工作人员” means staff member or staff in “请工作人员解释每一步”. It identifies the people who can provide assistance, and it is useful when asking clinic staff for guidance.

解释 “解释” means explain in “工作人员解释每一步”. It is the action requested from the staff, and the pattern “解释+内容” is useful when asking someone to make a procedure clear.

每 “每” means “each” or “every” in “每一步”. It shows that the explanation should cover the steps individually, and it commonly comes before a quantity or unit such as “一步”.

一步 “一步” means one step in “每一步”. Together with “每”, it refers to every individual part of the procedure, and the phrase is useful when asking for a detailed explanation.

早点 “早点” means early or earlier in “早点到”. It modifies the arrival time, and the pattern “早点到” is useful when planning extra time before an appointment.

到 “到” means arrive in “早点到”. It follows the time expression “早点”, and the pattern “早点到” is useful when telling someone to arrive before the scheduled event.

这样 “这样” means “so” or “in this way” in “这样就有足够的时间”. It links arriving early with the resulting available time, and it is useful for explaining the purpose or result of an action.

就 “就” marks the result in “这样就有足够的时间”. It shows that having enough time follows from arriving early, and the pattern “这样就+result” is useful when describing a practical consequence.

有 “有” means have in “有足够的时间”. It states that enough time will be available, and it commonly comes before the amount or type of thing that is available.

足够 “足够” means enough or sufficient in “足够的时间”. It describes the amount of time as meeting the need, and the pattern “足够的+thing” is useful when discussing resources for a task.

时间 “时间” means time in “足够的时间”. It is the resource made available by arriving early, and it is useful when planning for paperwork or other steps before a clinic appointment.

相关 “相关” means related or relevant in “相关表格”. It identifies the forms connected with the appointment, and it commonly comes before a noun when specifying which documents or materials are meant.

多 “多” means extra or more in “多留一点时间”. It indicates setting aside more time than the minimum, and the pattern “多+verb” is useful when recommending additional preparation.

留 “留” means set aside or leave available in “多留一点时间”. It takes “时间” as what is reserved, and this pattern is useful when planning a schedule with room for delays or paperwork.

一点 “一点” means a little in “多留一点时间”. It gives a small amount to the time being set aside, and it commonly follows an action such as “留” when making a modest adjustment.

整个 “整个” means the whole or entire in “整个就诊过程”. It describes the complete medical-visit process rather than one individual step, and it comes before the noun phrase it covers.

就诊 “就诊” refers to receiving medical care or attending a medical visit in “整个就诊过程”. It combines with “过程” to describe the full clinic experience, and it is useful in formal descriptions of medical care.

过程 “过程” means process in “整个就诊过程”. It refers to the sequence from checking in through the appointment, and it is useful when discussing how an activity unfolds from beginning to end.

不会 “不会” indicates that the expected result will not be the case in “不会那么赶”. Here it says the visit should not feel so rushed, and the pattern “不会+state” is useful when reassuring someone about a future situation.

那么 “那么” indicates the degree “that much” in “不会那么赶”. It modifies “赶” to compare the expected pace with a more rushed one, and it is useful when saying that a situation will be less intense.

赶 “赶” means be rushed or hurried in “不会那么赶”. It describes the pace of the appointment process, and the phrase is useful when explaining that extra time can make a schedule feel more manageable.

Grammar Points

除非……，否则……

除非时间足够，否则就会赶。

chúfēi shíjiān zúgòu, fǒuzé jiù huì gǎn.

Unless there is enough time, you will be rushed.

除非 introduces the only exception; otherwise states the expected result. It is often paired with 否则.

可能 + 动词／形容词

第一次看病可能会紧张。

dì yí cì kànbìng kěnéng huì jǐnzhāng.

You may feel nervous the first time you see a doctor.

可能 is placed before a verb or adjective to express possibility, often with 会 for a likely result.

Chinese Vocabulary

表格 noun

biǎogé form

不确定 adj

bú quèdìng be unsure; be uncertain

护士 noun

hùshi nurse

看病 verb

kànbìng see a doctor; receive medical treatment

可能 adv

kěnéng probably; possibly

前台 noun

qiántái reception desk; reception

首先 adv

shǒuxiān first; firstly

填写 verb

tiánxiě fill out; complete

医保卡 noun

yībǎokǎ health insurance card

尤其 adv

yóuqí especially

预约 verb

yùyuē make an appointment

诊所 noun

zhěnsuǒ clinic

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

see a doctor; receive medical treatment

Show Answer

看病

first; firstly

Show Answer

首先

form

Show Answer

表格

be unsure; be uncertain

Show Answer

不确定