Essential Arabic Medical Travel Phrases for Solo Travelers

Arabic is spoken across the Middle East and North Africa, and while dialects vary, Modern Standard Arabic is commonly understood in hospitals and emergency settings. For solo travelers, knowing essential Arabic medical phrases can help you seek care quickly, explain symptoms clearly, and communicate effectively in urgent situations.

🩺 Medical Emergencies (Immediate Help)

Help!
النجدة!
An-najda!
(an-NAJ-dah)

It’s an emergency
هذه حالة طارئة
Hādhihi ḥālat ṭāriʾa
(HAH-thee-hee HAH-lat TAH-ree-ah)

I need help immediately
أحتاج إلى مساعدة فورًا
Aḥtāju ilā musāʿada fawran
(ah-TAH-joo ee-lah moo-SAH-ah-dah FOR-an)

Call an ambulance
اتصل بالإسعاف
Ittasil bil-isʿāf
(it-TUH-sil bil-is-AHF)

I need a doctor
أحتاج إلى طبيب
Aḥtāju ilā ṭabīb
(ah-TAH-joo ee-lah tah-BEEB)

🏥 Doctors, Hospitals, and Clinics

Where is the nearest hospital?
أين أقرب مستشفى؟
Ayna aqrab mustashfā?
(EYE-nah AK-rab moos-TASH-fah)

Is there a clinic nearby?
هل توجد عيادة قريبة؟
Hal tūjad ʿiyāda qarība?
(hal TOO-jad ee-YAH-dah qa-REE-bah)

I need to see a doctor
أحتاج إلى رؤية طبيب
Aḥtāju ilā ruʾyat ṭabīb
(ah-TAH-joo ee-lah ROO-yat tah-BEEB)

Do you speak English?
هل تتحدث الإنجليزية؟
Hal tataḥaddath al-inglīziyya?
(hal ta-ta-HAD-dath al-in-glee-ZEE-yah)

🤕 Symptoms and Pain

I feel sick
أشعر بالتعب
Ashʿur bil-taʿab
(ASH-oor bil-TAH-ab)

I’m in pain
لدي ألم
Ladayya alam
(luh-DAY-yah AH-lam)

It hurts here
يؤلمني هنا
Yuʾlimunī hunā
(yoo-EL-lee-mee HOO-nah)

I have a fever
لدي حمى
Ladayya ḥummā
(luh-DAY-yah HOOM-mah)

I feel dizzy
أشعر بالدوار
Ashʿur bil-duwār
(ASH-oor bil-doo-WAHR)

I have trouble breathing
لدي صعوبة في التنفس
Ladayya ṣuʿūba fī al-tanaffus
(luh-DAY-yah soo-OO-bah fee at-ta-NAF-foos)

💊 Medications and Allergies

I am allergic to [substance]
لدي حساسية من [مادة]
Ladayya ḥasāsiyya min…
(luh-DAY-yah ha-sa-SEE-yah min)

I need my medication
أحتاج إلى دوائي
Aḥtāju ilā dawāʾī
(ah-TAH-joo ee-lah da-WAH-ee)

Do you have something for pain?
هل لديك دواء للألم؟
Hal ladayka dawāʾ lil-alam?
(hal luh-DAY-kah da-WAH lil-AH-lam)

I need a pharmacy
أين الصيدلية؟
Ayna al-ṣaydaliyya?
(EYE-nah as-sigh-da-LEE-yah)

🚑 Accidents and Injuries

I fell down
سقطت
Saqaṭtu
(SAH-qut-too)

I’m bleeding
أنا أنزف
Anā anzif
(uh-NAH AN-zif)

I burned myself
أصبت بحرق
Uṣibtu bi-ḥarq
(oo-SIB-too bee-HARK)

I think it’s broken
أعتقد أنه مكسور
Aʿtaqid annahu maksūr
(ah-TUH-qid AN-na-hoo mak-SOOR)

🧠 Mental Health & Distress

I’m feeling very anxious
أشعر بقلق شديد
Ashʿur bi-qalaq shadīd
(ASH-oor bee-QA-laq sha-DEED)

I’m having a panic attack
أعاني من نوبة هلع
Uʿānī min nawbat halaʿ
(oo-AA-nee min NOW-bat ha-LAʿ)

I need to calm down
أحتاج إلى أن أهدأ
Aḥtāju ilā an ahdaʾ
(ah-TAH-joo ee-lah an ah-DAH)

🗂️ Medical History & Documents

I have a medical condition
لدي حالة طبية
Ladayya ḥāla ṭibbiyya
(luh-DAY-yah HAH-lah TIB-bee-yah)

I have travel insurance
لدي تأمين سفر
Ladayya taʾmīn safar
(luh-DAY-yah taʾ-MEEN SAH-far)

Here is my prescription
هذه وصفتي الطبية
Hādhihi waṣfatī al-ṭibbiyya
(HAH-thee-hee WASS-fa-tee at-TIB-bee-yah)

🧾 Helpful Tip for Solo Travelers

📌 Save this page offline or take screenshots before traveling.
📌 Carry a translated list of allergies and medications in your wallet.
📌 In emergencies, show the phrase on your phone if pronunciation is difficult — it’s completely acceptable and often faster.

Disclaimer: This content is for travel communication only and does not replace professional medical advice or emergency services. In serious situations, seek immediate medical help.