Explaining myself to the doctor: Explaining what you've already tried

💬 Standard polite greeting. Pronounced roughly 'bohn-zhoor'. Use it at the start of almost any interaction.

🇫🇷 In France, saying bonjour first is very important. Skipping it can sound abrupt, even at a doctor's office.

💬 A title used to address a doctor directly: Docteur. The final 'r' is soft and typically French.

🇫🇷 French patients often say Bonjour docteur before explaining symptoms. It sounds polite and natural.

💬 A very natural opening phrase. Simple, polite, and useful in every medical appointment.

🇫🇷 In France, this is the perfect way to begin the consultation and set a respectful tone.

💬 From se sentir = 'to feel'. Je me sens = I feel; je ne me sens pas = I do not feel.

🇫🇷 French often uses this structure to talk about general well-being before giving details.

💬 Bien means 'well'. Tiny word, huge usefulness.

🇫🇷 You will hear bien everywhere in French: Ça va bien, très bien, pas bien...

💬 A very common phrase for feeling unwell in general. Literally: 'I do not feel myself well.'

🇫🇷 This is a normal, clear way to start explaining you are sick before describing specific symptoms.

💬 This chunk means 'what is it that...' and often starts questions. Think of it as a useful fixed expression.

🇫🇷 French often builds questions with chunks like qu'est-ce qui instead of changing word order dramatically.

💬 Literally 'is not going'. In French, what 'doesn't go' is what is wrong.

🇫🇷 French loves everyday verbs like aller ('to go') in lots of expressions.

💬 A common doctor question. Literally: 'What is it that is not going well?'

🇫🇷 This sounds caring and standard in medical settings, but you may also hear it in daily life.