Learn German A1 – Lesson 9: At the doctor

This is lesson 9 of the A1 German series on the OK+ channel, and its subject is At the doctor. It is built for someone starting from nothing who wants to use what they learn the same day, rather than collect rules that help neither in the street nor at the office.

The grammar it works on is Imperativ · sollen und dürfen · euer/eure. This page carries the rule explained, the fifteen words of the lesson, example sentences and an exercise for today.

Imperativ · sollen und dürfen · euer/eure

The German imperative has three shapes according to who is addressed. With du the verb loses its ending and the pronoun is dropped: Nimm die Tablette! With ihr the verb keeps its form and the pronoun goes: Nehmt die Tabletten! With Sie the pronoun follows the verb: Nehmen Sie die Tablette! — and that last one is what you hear in the surgery and at the office.
The possessive for a group you address is euer / eure, which follows the same rule as mein.

The three imperative forms

The fifteen words of this lesson

Example sentences

• Ich habe seit gestern Fieber. — I have had a fever since yesterday.
• Ich möchte einen Termin. — I would like an appointment.
• Nehmen Sie das Medikament dreimal täglich. — Take the medicine three times a day.
• Du sollst viel Wasser trinken. — You should drink plenty of water.
• Bringt eure Versichertenkarte mit! — Bring your insurance cards!

Today's exercise

Imagine yourself at the surgery and write seven sentences: three describing your complaint, one asking for an appointment, and three repeating the doctor's instructions in the Sie form. Those seven cover most of what is said in a single visit — learn them as they stand.

How to study this lesson

• Watch the lesson once end to end without stopping, to get the shape of it
• Watch it again, pausing at every new word and saying it aloud
• Write the fifteen words out by hand — writing fixes them better than reading
• Use three of the sentences the same day, even if only to yourself
• Do not move on until you can recall this vocabulary without looking

Where this lesson sits in the series

The series is twelve lessons in a deliberate order: each builds on the grammar and the vocabulary of the one before it. This is lesson 9 of twelve. Do not skip between them — skipping is the first cause of stalling at A1.

Frequently asked questions

Which form do I use with a doctor?
Always the Sie form — it is also the one the doctor will use with you.

What is the difference between sollen and müssen at the doctor?
sollen is the doctor's advice and instruction; müssen is a necessity with no choice in it.

Do I need the insurance card at every visit?
Surgeries normally ask for it. The details and the exceptions are set by the Krankenkasse itself, so ask them.

How do I ask for an appointment by phone?
With one clear sentence: Guten Tag, ich möchte einen Termin, bitte. Then give your name and your complaint briefly.

Watch the video

The video is on the OK+ channel on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-F-bTslm6g

Also on OK+

• Learn German A1 – Lesson 8: Work and profession
• Learn German A1 – Lesson 10: Yesterday and today
• Fifty German verbs – part one

A tool that shortens the road

The OK Plus DE app gathers German administrative calculators and form templates in one place, free, ad-free, in seven languages. Android and iPhone, from the same page:
Get the OK Plus DE app