UNIT 7
Hospitals, Clinics & Pharmacies
Hospitals, Clinics & Pharmacies
Lesson 2: Making an Appointment and Visiting a Clinic
よやくをおねがいします — Your First Clinic Visit
⏱️ About 25 minutes ／ 📊 Level: Beginner (N5) ／ 🗣️ Speaking + Reading
Before You Start
Visiting a Japanese clinic for the first time can feel intimidating — but the language involved is surprisingly simple. In this lesson you will learn how to make a phone appointment, confirm available times, give your name, and handle the key question you will always be asked: こちらは初めてですか (“Is this your first visit?”).
What you will learn:
- Make an appointment — 予約をお願いします
- Ask if today is possible — 今日、予約できますか
- Ask what times are available — 何時が空いていますか
- Request a time — 3時にお願いします
- Say your name — 名前は〇〇です
- Say it is your first visit — 初めてです
- Respond to the insurance card question — 保険証はありますか
1. Key Phrases ／ きほんのフレーズ
予約をお願いします。
Yoyaku o onegaishimasu.
I would like to make an appointment.
今日、予約できますか。
Kyoo, yoyaku dekimasu ka.
Can I make an appointment today?
何時が空いていますか。
Nanji ga aite imasu ka.
What time is available?
3時にお願いします。
Sanji ni onegaishimasu.
3 o’clock, please.
名前は〇〇です。
Namae wa 〇〇 desu.
My name is 〇〇.
初めてです。
Hajimete desu.
It is my first time / first visit.
保険証はありますか。
Hokenshoo wa arimasu ka.
Do you have a health insurance card?
2. Phrase Notes ／ ポイント
① 予約をお願いします — making the appointment
This is the first thing you say when you call a clinic. The receptionist will then ask which day, what time, and your name. If you want to specify the reason, add it before: 風邪の予約をお願いします (“I’d like to make an appointment for a cold”).
② 〇時にお願いします — requesting a time
Replace 〇 with the hour. Japanese time-telling uses the counter 〇時 (〇 ji) for hours.
10時にお願いします。10 o’clock, please.
2時半にお願いします。2:30, please.
午後3時にお願いします。3 PM, please.
③ 初めてです — first visit or not
Every clinic asks こちらは初めてですか (“Is this your first visit here?”). Answer: はい、初めてです (yes, first time) or いいえ、以前も来たことがあります (no, I have been before). First-time visitors will be given a registration form.
④ 保険証 — the health insurance card
保険証 (hokenshoo) is the National Health Insurance card. You should always bring it — it reduces your payment to typically 30% of the medical cost. If you don’t have one, say: 保険証はありません. The clinic can still treat you, but you will pay the full amount.
⚠️ Common Mistake
Don’t say 予約したいです is wrong — it is grammatically fine, but 予約をお願いします is more natural in a phone call or walk-in context. The 〇〇をお願いします pattern is the standard polite request form for service situations.
Don’t say 予約したいです is wrong — it is grammatically fine, but 予約をお願いします is more natural in a phone call or walk-in context. The 〇〇をお願いします pattern is the standard polite request form for service situations.
3. Clinic & Appointment Words ／ よやくのことば
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
| 予約 | yoyaku | appointment / reservation |
| 受付 | uketsuke | reception / front desk |
| 初めて | hajimete | first time |
| 保険証 | hokenshoo | health insurance card |
| 問診票 | monshinpyoo | medical questionnaire / intake form |
| 待合室 | machiaishitsu | waiting room |
| 診察 | shinsatsu | medical examination / consultation |
| 空いています | aite imasu | is available / is open |
4. Conversation Practice ／ かいわ
💬 Conversation 1 — Making a Phone Appointment
💬 Conversation 2 — First Visit Check-In
💬 Conversation 3 — Asking What Times Are Available
💬 Conversation 4 — No Insurance Card
5. Vocabulary ／ たんご
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
| 予約 | yoyaku | appointment |
| 受付 | uketsuke | reception desk |
| 保険証 | hokenshoo | health insurance card |
| 初めて | hajimete | first time |
| 空いています | aite imasu | available / open |
| できます | dekimasu | can do / possible |
| 今日 | kyoo | today |
| 名前 | namae | name |
| 問診票 | monshinpyoo | medical intake form |
6. Check Your Understanding ／ クイズ
Think about each question first. Answers and explanations are shown below.
Q1. How do you say “I would like to make an appointment” in Japanese?
A. 初めてです。 B. 今日、予約できますか。 C. 予約をお願いします。 D. 保険証はあります。
Answer: C
予約をお願いします = “I would like to make an appointment.” This is the standard opening phrase when calling a clinic.
予約をお願いします = “I would like to make an appointment.” This is the standard opening phrase when calling a clinic.
Q2. How do you ask “What time is available?”
A. 何時ですか。 B. 何時が空いていますか。 C. 何時に来ますか。 D. 何時に帰りますか。
Answer: B
何時が空いていますか = “What time is available?” 空いています = is open/available. A just asks the time, not availability.
何時が空いていますか = “What time is available?” 空いています = is open/available. A just asks the time, not availability.
Q3. The receptionist asks 「こちらは初めてですか。」 It is your first visit. What do you say?
A. いいえ、2回目です。 B. 予約をお願いします。 C. はい、初めてです。 D. 保険証はありません。
Answer: C
はい、初めてです = “Yes, it is my first visit.” You will then receive a registration form (問診票) to fill in.
はい、初めてです = “Yes, it is my first visit.” You will then receive a registration form (問診票) to fill in.
Q4. What does 「保険証はありますか。」 mean?
A. Do you have a name? B. Do you have a doctor? C. Do you have an appointment? D. Do you have a health insurance card?
Answer: D
保険証 = health insurance card. Always bring yours — it reduces your payment to around 30% of the total cost.
保険証 = health insurance card. Always bring yours — it reduces your payment to around 30% of the total cost.
Q5. How do you request the 2 o’clock time slot?
A. 2時から帰ります。 B. 2時が空いています。 C. 2時をください。 D. 2時にお願いします。
Answer: D
〇時にお願いします = “〇 o’clock, please.” The に particle marks the specific time.
〇時にお願いします = “〇 o’clock, please.” The に particle marks the specific time.
Q6. How do you ask “Can I make an appointment today?”
A. 今日、病院に行きたいです。 B. 今日、予約できますか。 C. 今日、何時ですか。 D. 今日、どうしましたか。
Answer: B
今日、予約できますか = “Can I make an appointment today?” できますか = “Is it possible / can I?” — a key question pattern.
今日、予約できますか = “Can I make an appointment today?” できますか = “Is it possible / can I?” — a key question pattern.
7. Match the Meaning ／ れんしゅう
予約をお願いします。 → ______
今日、予約できますか。 → ______
何時が空いていますか。 → ______
3時にお願いします。 → ______
初めてです。 → ______
保険証はありますか。 → ______
Choices: A. 3 o’clock, please. B. Can I make an appointment today? C. It is my first visit. D. I would like to make an appointment. E. What time is available? F. Do you have a health insurance card?
Answers: 予約をお願いします = D ／ 今日、予約できますか = B ／ 何時が空いていますか = E ／ 3時にお願いします = A ／ 初めてです = C ／ 保険証はありますか = F
🚀 Mini Mission
Today’s mission: Practice making a clinic appointment in Japanese.
Try this phone conversation with your teacher — take turns as patient and receptionist:
予約をお願いします。／ 今日の〇時にお願いします。／ 名前は〇〇です。／ はい、初めてです。
📘 Review ／ まとめ
In this lesson you learned how to make a clinic appointment and handle reception in Japan. The most important phrases are:
予約をお願いします。(I’d like to make an appointment.)
今日の〇時にお願いします。(Today at 〇, please.)
名前は〇〇です。(My name is 〇〇.)
はい、初めてです。(Yes, first visit.)
今日の〇時にお願いします。(Today at 〇, please.)
名前は〇〇です。(My name is 〇〇.)
はい、初めてです。(Yes, first visit.)
💡 Remember to bring your 保険証 every time you visit a clinic — it reduces your payment significantly. If you don’t have one, say 保険証はありません and the clinic will still help you.
FAQ
Q. Do I need to make an appointment, or can I just walk in?
Many Japanese clinics accept walk-ins (予約なし), especially for minor illnesses. However, making an appointment reduces your waiting time significantly. If you walk in, tell the reception: 予約はないですが、診ていただけますか (“I don’t have an appointment, but can you see me?”).
Q. What is the 問診票 and do I need to fill it out in Japanese?
The 問診票 (monshinpyoo) is a medical intake form listing your symptoms, allergies, and medical history. Many clinics in major cities now have English versions. If only Japanese is available, do your best and the doctor will ask follow-up questions — or show your phone screen with a translation of your key symptoms.
Q. What types of clinics are there, and which one should I go to?
Japanese clinics are organized by specialty. For colds, fever, and general illness go to 内科 (naika, internal medicine). For cuts and injuries: 外科 (geka, surgery/emergency). For eyes: 眼科 (ganka). For teeth: 歯科 / 歯医者 (shika / haisha). For children: 小児科 (shonika). When in doubt, 内科 covers most everyday illness.
🏥 Practice with a real teacher
Want to Practice with a Teacher?
Making a clinic appointment confidently in Japanese is a real-life skill that takes practice. Try a free trial lesson with a professional teacher and be ready for any clinic visit in Japan.
Online or in-person — both available on request.