Are you visiting an Arabic-speaking country, helping patients in a healthcare setting, or simply learning Arabic for everyday life? Then you will find that understanding how to talk about health in Arabic is essential.
In this guide, you’ll learn practical Arabic phrases to talk about health, from describing symptoms to identifying common illnesses like diabetes in Arabic and more.
We’ve grouped phrases by category so you can easily find what you need — whether it’s a list of diseases in Arabic, everyday medical vocabulary in Arabic, or how to express feelings of discomfort or pain. These common diseases in Arabic and related expressions will help you communicate clearly, respectfully, and effectively in any health-related situation.
10 Arabic Phrases to Talk about Health Problems
Mental health is just as important as physical health, but it’s often harder to talk about — especially in another language. Learning how to express common mental health problems in Arabic helps build understanding and support.
English
Transliteration
Arabic
I have a cold.
Uṣibtu binazlati bard.
أُصِبتُ بِنَزلةِ بَردٍ.
I have the flu.
Uṣibtu bizukām.
أُصِبتُ بِزُكَامٍ.
I have a rash.
ʻIndy ṭafaḥun jildī
عِندي طَفْحٌ جِلديٌّ.
I have a fever.
Indy ḥummá
عِندي حُمَّى.
I have a stomach ache.
ʻIndy alamun fī almaʻidah.
عِندي ألَمٌ في المِعدَةِ.
I feel dizzy.
Ashʻuru biduwār
أشعُرُ بِدُوارٍ.
I feel faint.
Ashʻuru annahu sayughmá ʻalī
أشعُرُ أنَّهُ سَيُغمى عَليَّ.
I feel nauseous
Ashʻuru biālghathayān
أَشعُرُ بِالغَثَيانِ.
I am asthmatic.
Anā marīḍun biālrrabw/ Uʻāny mina alrrabw
أنا مَرِيضٌ بِالرَّبو. / أُعاني مِنَ الرَّبو.
I have diabetes.
Anā marīḍun bissukary
أنا مَرِيضٌ بِالسُّكَّريِّ.
I am allergic to penicilin
ʻIndy ḥasāsīyatun mina albinslyn.
عِندي حَساسِيّةٌ مِنَ البِنسِلِين.
5 Common Cardiovascular Diseases in Arabic
When it comes to health, heart-related conditions are among the most important to recognize and describe. Below are 5 common cardiovascular diseases in Arabic along with their meanings and usage examples. These are essential if you’re learning medical vocabulary in Arabic or need to discuss heart health.
English
Transliteration
Arabic
Hypertension (High blood pressure)
Irtifāʻu ḍaghṭi alddam
اِرتِفاعُ ضَغطِ الدَّمِ
Coronary artery disease (CAD)
Maraḍu alshryāni alttājī
مَرَضُ الشِّريانِ التّاجِيِّ
Heart failure
Fashalu alqalb
فَشَلُ القَلبِ
Arrhythmia
Iḍṭirābātu ḍarabāti alqalb (alrajafānu alʼudhayny)
اِضطِراباتُ ضَرَباتِ القَلبِ (الرَّجَفاَنُ الأُذَينِيُّ)
Stroke
Assaktatu aldimāghīah
السَّكتةُ الدِّماغِيَّةُ
5 Common Respiratory Diseases in Arabic
Respiratory issues are some of the most common health complaints, especially during colder seasons. Check the following list of the most common respiratory diseases in Arabic:
English
Transliteration
Arabic
Asthma
rabw
رَبو
Pneumonia
Iltihābun riʼawy
اِلتِهابٌ رِئَويٌّ
Bronchitis
Iltihābu alshuʻabi alhawāʼyah
اِلتِهابُ الشُّعَبِ الهَوائيّةِ
Tuberculosis
Assil
السِّلّ
Lung cancer
Sarṭānu alriʼah
سَرَطانُ الرِّئةِ
5 Common Skin Diseases in Arabic
Skin conditions are easy to notice but not always easy to explain in another language. Here are some common skin diseases in Arabic that will help you describe skin-related issues using clear and useful medical vocabulary in Arabic.
English
Transliteration
Arabic
Eczema
Akzymā
أكزيما
Psoriasis
ṣṣadafīyah
صَدَفِيَّة
Acne
Ḥabbu alshabāb
حَبُّ الشَّبابِ
Dermatitis
Iltihābu aljild
اِلتِهابُ الجِلدِ
Vitiligo
buhāq
بُهاق
5 Common Stomach Diseases in Arabic
Stomach problems are something everyone experiences from time to time. Whether it’s food poisoning, ulcers, or indigestion, these phrases will help you describe what’s wrong — clearly and in Arabic. If you’re learning Arabic phrases to talk about health, this is a must-know list.
English
Transliteration
Arabic
Gastritis
Iltihābu almaʻidah
اِلتِهابُ المِعدَةِ
Gastric ulcer
Qarḥahtu maʻidīyah
قُرحَةٌ مِعَدِيّةٌ
Indigestion
ʻUsru alhaḍm
عُسرُ الهَضمِ
Hiatal hernia
Fatqun ḥijāby
فَتقٌ حِجابيٌّ
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Alirtijāʻu almaʻidī almaryʼī
الاِرتِجاعُ المِعَدِيُّ المَريئِيُّ
5 Common Allergies in Arabic
Knowing how to talk about common allergies in Arabic is incredibly helpful, especially if you’re traveling, visiting a doctor, or living in an Arabic-speaking country. These phrases also expand your medical vocabulary in Arabic, making your health conversations more accurate and safe.
English
Transliteration
Arabic
Hay fever (Allergic rhinitis)
Ḥasāsyatu alʼanf (ḥasāsyatu alqash)
حَساسيّةُ الأنفِ (حَساسيّةُ القَشِّ)
Seasonal allergies
Hasāsyatun mawsimyah
حَساسيّةٌ مَوسِميّةٌ
Allergic skin rash
Alṭafḥu aljildīu altaḥasusy
الطَّفْحُ الجِلديُّ التَّحسُّسيُّ
Allergic asthma
rabw taḥasusy
رَبوٌ تَحَسُّسيٌّ
Food allergies
Ḥasāsyyatu alṭṭaʻām
حَساسيَّةُ الطَّعامِ
5 Common Winter Illnesses in Arabic
Cold weather often brings along coughs, sore throats, and fevers. That’s why it’s useful to learn how to describe common winter illnesses in Arabic — especially when you need to explain symptoms or give advice.
English
Transliteration
Arabic
Influenza (Flu)
Iʼnfelwanzā
إنفِلُوَنزا
Common cold
Nazalātu albard
نَزْلاتُ البَردِ
Sore throat
Iltihābu alḥalq
اِلتِهابُ الحَلقِ
Pneumonia
Iltihāb riʼawī
اِلتِهابٌ رِئَويٌّ
Sinusitis
Ilthābu aljyūbi alʼanfīh
اِلتهابُ الجيُوبِ الأنفِيّةِ
5 Common Mental Health Problems in Arabic
Mental health is just as important as physical health, but it’s often harder to talk about — especially in another language. Learning how to express common mental health problems in Arabic helps build understanding and support.
English
Transliteration
Arabic
Depression
Iktiʼāb
اِكتِئاب
Anxiety disorders
Iḍṭirābātu al-qalaq
اِضطِراباتُ القَلَقِ
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Iḍṭirāb al-waswās al-qahri
ضطِرابُ الوَسوَاسِ القَهريِّ
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Iḍṭirāb ma baʿda al-ṣadmah
اِضطِرابُ ما بَعدَ الصَّدمَةِ
Bipolar disorder
Iḍṭirāb thunā’ī al-quṭb
اِضطِرابٌ ثُنائِيُّ القُطْبِ
Common Arabic Verbs Used with Illnesses
To talk about health in Arabic effectively, you need more than just the names of diseases — you also need the right Arabic verbs. These common verbs will help you describe symptoms, express how you or someone else feels, and explain health situations clearly. Below are four of the most frequently used Arabic verbs with illnesses, along with their meanings and examples.
English
Arabic Example
English
Transliteration
Arabic Verb
He has suffered from asthma since childhood.
يُعاني مِنَ الرَّبوِ مُنذُ الطُّفولةِ.
to suffer from
yuʿānī
يُعاني
I have a strong headache today.
عِندي صُداعٌ قَويٌّ اليومَ.
to have
ʿindī
عِندي
He felt nauseous after eating food.
شَعَرَ بالغَثَيَانِ بَعدَ تَناولِ الطَّعامِ.
to feel
yashʿur
يَشعُرُ
Many people catch the flu in winter.
يُصابُ الكَثيرونَ بالإنفِلُونزا في الشِّتاءِ.
to be affected/catch (an illness)
yuṣāb
يُصابُ
Final word
Learning how to talk about health and disease in Arabic doesn’t have to be complicated. With these 45 phrases covering everything from common cardiovascular diseases in Arabic to mental health vocabulary, you now have a powerful toolkit for everyday conversations and professional settings alike.
Want to go even further? Download the AlifBee App to access structured lessons and audio support. Plus, get a free 30-day Arabic study plan designed to help you speak confidently and fluently — whether you’re learning Arabic for health, travel, or daily life.
