My First Cold: Learning to Say “I’m Not Feeling Well” in Germany

Okay, so here I am, six months in Berlin, and honestly, I’m still completely thrown for loop sometimes. It’s not the big, complicated things, like navigating the U-Bahn or understanding the political landscape. It’s the little things, like actually talking to people when I’m feeling awful. I’ve learned a lot about German culture, but the healthcare system and how people communicate about illness… that’s been a particularly bumpy ride.

The Initial Panic – “Was ist los?”

The first time I got really sick – a proper, bone-deep cold – it was terrifying. I woke up with this hacking cough, a massive headache, and the feeling that every muscle in my body was screaming. I stumbled to the Apotheke (pharmacy) near my apartment, completely panicked. The pharmacist, a lovely older gentleman named Herr Schmidt, looked at me and asked, “Was ist los?” (What’s wrong?). I just blurted out, “Ich fühle mich nicht gut!” (I don’t feel good!). It sounded so… basic. He then proceeded to look at me as if I’d announced the end of the world.

He asked a lot of questions, and I realized I hadn’t really thought about how to describe it. It’s not like English, where you just say, “I have a cold.” Germans want details.

Building My Illness Vocabulary

Herr Schmidt then recommended some medicine – “ein Hustensaft” (a cough syrup) and “ein Schmerzmittel” (a painkiller). But even after taking the medicine, I realized I needed to understand how to actually express my symptoms. Here’s what I’ve picked up:

• Kopfschmerzen: Headache – “Ich habe starke Kopfschmerzen.” (I have a bad headache.)
• Husten: Cough – “Ich habe viel Husten.” (I have a lot of cough.) “Es ist ein trockener Husten” (It’s a dry cough) or “Es ist ein feuchter Husten” (It’s a wet cough).
• Halsschmerzen: Sore throat – “Mein Hals tut weh.” (My throat hurts.)
• Schwindel: Dizziness – “Ich habe Schwindel.” (I feel dizzy.)
• Fieber: Fever – “Ich habe Fieber.” (I have a fever.) “Ich habe 38,5 Grad Fieber” (I have a fever of 38.5 degrees Celsius) – they love to specify the temperature!
• Müdigkeit: Tiredness – “Ich bin sehr müde.” (I’m very tired.)

I’ve been writing these down in my little notebook – it’s become my go-to reference.

A Typical Doctor’s Appointment (And the Awkwardness)

Last week, I finally went to see a Doktor (doctor). I’d been feeling awful for three days, and I was starting to feel really vulnerable. The appointment was… strange. The Doktor, Dr. Müller, asked me very specific questions.

“Wo tut es weh?” (Where does it hurt?) – I pointed to my chest. “Es tut in der Brust weh.” (It hurts in my chest.)

“Wie ist der Husten?” (What’s the cough like?) – “Es ist trocken und ich habe Schwierigkeiten zu atmen” (It’s dry and I’m having trouble breathing).

“Haben Sie Schüttelfrost?” (Do you have chills?) – “Ja, ein bisschen” (Yes, a little).

He then examined me, listened to my lungs, and wrote a prescription for more medication. The whole conversation felt a bit formal, almost like I was being interrogated! I realised that Germans tend to be quite direct. It wasn’t meant to be rude; it was just…how they approach things.

Important Phrases & Cultural Notes

• Ich brauche einen Arzt/einen Termin: (I need a doctor/an appointment) – Always useful to know!
• Kann ich einen Rezept ausstellen lassen? (Can you get a prescription?) – I asked this initially because I didn’t have my European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with me, which caused a bit of a delay.
• Es geht mir besser/schlechter: (I’m feeling better/worse) – Helpful to update the Doktor.
• Nicht besorgt: (Don’t worry) – This is a common phrase, used to reassure you, but sometimes feels a little dismissive if you’re really struggling.

My Biggest Mistake (And What I Learned)

My biggest mistake was trying to downplay how I was feeling. I initially said, “Es ist nur ein kleiner Schnupfen” (It’s just a little cold) to the pharmacist. He looked at me really seriously, and I realized I needed to be honest. Honesty, it turns out, is appreciated here.

Learning to navigate these conversations is still a work in progress, but I’m getting better. Now, if I feel even a little bit off, I reach for my notebook and confidently say, “Ich fühle mich nicht gut” – and hopefully, I’ll get the help I need.

And who knows, maybe one day I’ll actually master the art of explaining my symptoms without feeling like a complete idiot!