Language/Italian/Vocabulary/Health
Hi Italian learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn some important health-related Italian vocabulary. We will also talk about some interesting rituals and beliefs, and I will provide some cultural information. Get ready to learn how to talk about your health and well-being in Italian!
With the completion of this lesson, consider investigating these related pages: Days Months and Seasons & Asking Directions.
Basic Health Vocabulary[edit | edit source]
Let's start with some basic Italian vocabulary you can use to talk about your health and well-being. Here are some common words and phrases:
Italian | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
la salute | la saˈluːte | health |
il benessere | il benesˈsɛːre | well-being |
la malattia | la malaˈttia | illness/disease |
l'influenza | linfluɛnˈtsa | flu |
il raffreddore | il raffreddore | cold |
il dolore | il doˈloːre | pain |
la ferita | la feˈriːta | wound |
rompersi un osso | romperˈsi un ˈɔsso | to break a bone |
l'incidente | linˈtʃidentɛ | accident |
la cura | la ˈkuːra | treatment |
Dialogue:
- Elena: Ciao, come stai? (Hi, how are you?)
- Marco: Non sto molto bene, ho l'influenza. (I'm not feeling very well, I have the flu.)
- Elena: Mi dispiace. Hai visto un medico? (I'm sorry. Have you seen a doctor?)
- Marco: Sì, mi ha prescritto una cura. (Yes, he prescribed me a treatment.)
Traditional Health Practices[edit | edit source]
Italy has a rich history of natural remedies and traditional practices. Some Italian families believe that certain foods and herbs can have a healing effect on the body. For example, garlic is believed to have antibiotic and antiviral properties and is often used to treat minor infections. Another example is chamomile tea, which is known for its calming properties and is often used to help with sleep and relaxation.
Here are some vocabulary words related to traditional health practices in Italy:
Italian | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
la medicina naturale | la meˈdittsina naˈtuːrale | natural medicine |
l'infuso | linˈfuːzo | herbal infusion |
la camomilla | la kamoˈmilla | chamomile |
l'aglio | lˈaʎʎo | garlic |
la curcuma | la kurˈkuːma | turmeric |
l'olio d'oliva | lˈɔljɔ ˈdɔliva | olive oil |
Dialogue:
- Sofia: Mi sento stressata e non riesco a dormire. Cosa mi consigli? (I feel stressed and I can't sleep. What do you recommend?)
- Giulia: Prova a bere un'infuso di camomilla prima di andare a letto. (Try drinking a chamomile infusion before going to bed.)
- Sofia: Grazie per il consiglio, proverò anche un po' d'aglio. (Thank you for the advice, I'll also try some garlic.)
Health Beliefs and Superstitions[edit | edit source]
In Italian culture, there are also various health beliefs and superstitions. For example, it is believed that a person should never go outside with wet hair, as it can cause illness. Some people also wear a red coral necklace as a protective amulet against the evil eye, which is believed to cause illness and bad luck.
Here are some vocabulary words related to health beliefs and superstitions in Italy:
Italian | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
la superstizione | la superstittsiˈoːne | superstition |
il malocchio | il malokˈkjo | evil eye |
l'amuleto | lamuˈlɛto | amulet |
il corallo rosso | il koˈrallo ˈrosso | red coral |
la tradizione | la tradittsjoˈne | tradition |
Dialogue:
- Marco: Perché porti sempre quel collare di corallo rosso? (Why do you always wear that red coral necklace?)
- Chiara: È un amuleto contro il malocchio. (It's an amulet against the evil eye.)
- Marco: Ah, non conoscevo questa tradizione. (Ah, I wasn't familiar with this tradition.)
Going to the Doctor[edit | edit source]
If you ever need to see a doctor in Italy, it's important to know some basic Italian vocabulary related to medical appointments and procedures. Here are some common words and phrases:
Italian | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
l'appuntamento | lapputtaˈmento | appointment |
il medico | il ˈmɛdiko | doctor |
il pronto soccorso | il ˈpronto sokˈkɔrso | emergency room |
la ricetta | la riˈtʃetta | prescription |
l'analisi del sangue | lanaliˈsi del ˈsande | blood test |
l'ecografia | lekoˈgrafia | ultrasound |
Dialogue:
- Elena: Ho bisogno di fare un'appuntamento con il medico. (I need to make an appointment with the doctor.)
- Marco: Vuoi che ti accompagni al pronto soccorso? (Do you want me to take you to the emergency room?)
- Elena: No, solo una ricetta e un'analisi del sangue. (No, just a prescription and a blood test.)
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
That's it for our Italian health vocabulary lesson! Remember to practice using these words and phrases in context. To improve your Italian Vocabulary, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!
➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
Impressive work on finishing this lesson! Explore these additional pages to enhance your understanding: Seasons & Animals.
Videos[edit | edit source]
Weekly Italian Words with Ilaria – Health Concerns - YouTube[edit | edit source]
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Problems in Italian
- Jobs
- Forse VS Magari
- Italian words for a job interview
- Le 25 parole e frasi più usate
- How to Say Hello and Greetings
- Camping
- Family
- How to say Good Bye?
- Idiomatic Expressions
Sources[edit | edit source]
- Italian Vocabulary: Health
- Italian Vocabulary for HEALTH PROBLEMS! – LearnAmo
- Italian medical words - Rocket Languages