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B1Swedish·13 cards

A morning at the vårdcentral — from symptom to pharmacy

One sick morning told in order: describing what hurts, calling the health centre, the examination, the prescription, the pharmacy.

You wake up ill and this deck follows the whole morning in order: saying what hurts, calling the vårdcentral, the examination, and picking up your medicine. Two traps get special attention — Swedish has TWO pain patterns (jag har ont i vs det gör ont när), and recept is a false friend that means prescription, never receipt.

A quaint European pharmacy with bicycles parked outside under a cloudy summer sky.
Photo: Elina Volkova on Pexels
  1. 1

    Jag mår inte riktigt bra i dag.

    I'm not feeling too well today.

    Tip: må bra/dåligt = how you feel overall; the standard opener for any illness talk

  2. 2

    Jag har ont i halsen.

    My throat hurts.

    Tip: ha ont i + definite body part

  3. 3

    Det gör ont när jag sväljer.

    It hurts when I swallow.

    Tip: det gör ont när + clause — pain tied to an action

  4. 4

    Jag har haft feber sedan i går kväll.

    I've had a fever since last night.

    Tip: perfect tense + sedan for something still ongoing

  5. 5

    Jag skulle behöva en tid i dag, om det går.

    I'd need an appointment today, if possible.

    Tip: skulle ___ softens the request; en tid = an appointment slot

  6. 6

    Hur länge har du känt dig sjuk?

    How long have you been feeling ill?

    Tip: känna sig sjuk — reflexive; you'll answer with sedan + time

  7. 7

    Läkaren tar emot dig klockan halv elva.

    The doctor will see you at half past ten.

    Tip: careful: halv elva = 10:30, not 11:30 — Swedish halves point BACKWARD

  8. 8

    Doktorn undersöker halsen och lyssnar på lungorna.

    The doctor examines your throat and listens to your lungs.

    Tip: definite forms where English says 'your': halsen, lungorna

  9. 9

    Det är ingen halsfluss, bara en vanlig förkylning.

    It's not strep throat, just a common cold.

    Tip: ingen negates the noun directly — no inte needed

  10. 10

    Jag skriver ut ett recept på penicillin.

    I'll write you a prescription for penicillin.

    Tip: ___ ut = issue/print; ___ på + medicine

  11. 11

    Glöm inte kvittot om du vill söka ersättning.

    Don't forget the receipt if you want to claim reimbursement.

  12. 12

    Hämta ut medicinen på apoteket före stängning.

    Pick up the medicine at the pharmacy before closing.

    Tip: hämta ut = collect/pick up (particle verb); apotek = pharmacy

  13. 13

    Krya på dig!

    Get well soon!

    Tip: ___ på dig (till dig: ___ på er) — the standard get-well farewell