Italian for English speakers Hospital · Lesson 1

Medical checks

Italian at the doctor — Può aprire la bocca, per favore? (Can you open your mouth, please?) — formal Lei + può.

Conversation

  1. Bolin Bolin

    Può aprire la bocca e dire A, per favore?

    Can you open your mouth, please?

    Tip: Formal conversation. They are using the third person singular to talk to each other.

  2. Honey Honey

    Aaaaa

    Aaaaa

  3. Bolin Bolin

    Bene. La gola non sembra troppo rossa.

    Good. Your throat doesn't look too red.

    Tip: <Troppo> is an adverb here, so it doesn't change into "troppa" <Sembra> = it looks

  4. Yennifer Yennifer

    Meno male!

    Thanks goodness!

Common questions

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

Why use Lei in medical settings?

Lei is the formal 'you' — used with strangers, professionals, doctors. Conjugates as third-person singular. Tu is informal.

How do you form polite requests in Italian?

Può + infinitive: Può aprire? Può aiutarmi? + per favore at the end. Formal politeness.

Italian body parts?

La bocca (mouth), la testa (head), il braccio (arm), la gamba (leg), lo stomaco (stomach), l'occhio (eye), il naso (nose).

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