您以前有这个问题吗？
Nin yiqian you zhege wenti ma?
Have you had this problem before?
Past history of presenting complaint.
IMG medical Mandarin
Medical Mandarin for IMGs and international doctors
A practical guide for international medical graduates and foreign-trained clinicians who need Mandarin for Chinese-speaking patients.
Focus on patient-safe language
IMGs need Mandarin that supports clear clinical communication: symptoms, medicines, allergies, tests, red flags, and follow-up instructions.
Translate clinical intent, not every word
The safest Mandarin is often shorter than the English sentence. Use direct patient-friendly phrasing instead of literal translation.
Practise across common settings
Build confidence in outpatient clinics, ward rounds, emergency presentations, consent, diagnosis explanation, and discharge instructions.
High-yield phrases
请告诉我您现在吃的药。
Qing gaosu wo nin xianzai chi de yao.
Please tell me the medicines you take now.
Medication history.
我们需要进一步检查。
Women xuyao jinyibu jiancha.
We need further tests.
Explaining investigations.
Example clinical dialogue
doctor
您好，我会尽量说清楚。
Nin hao, wo hui jinliang shuo qingchu.
Hello, I will try to explain clearly.
patient
好的。
Hao de.
Okay.
doctor
您以前有高血压吗？
Nin yiqian you gaoxueya ma?
Have you had high blood pressure before?
patient
有，已经五年了。
You, yijing wu nian le.
Yes, for five years.
Common mistakes
- Overusing technical vocabulary when plain Mandarin is clearer.
- Skipping medication and allergy phrases.
- Practising vocabulary without realistic patient answers.
FAQ
Do IMGs need medical Mandarin?
IMGs working with Mandarin-speaking patients benefit from clinical Mandarin for history taking, safety questions, instructions, and rapport.
What should international doctors learn first?
Start with introductions, symptoms, medication history, allergies, red flags, tests, and follow-up instructions.
Is this useful outside China?
Yes. It helps clinicians communicate with Mandarin-speaking patients in any healthcare setting.