Do you aspire to know some of the medical and health vocabularies in Tagalog? Then this blog post will be beneficial to your language learning about medical terms. Let’s get this conversation going.
Planning to visit the Philippines? In case of an emergency, you might find yourself seeking medical attention. For that reason, it is integral that you learn about what to expect when it comes to the Philippine healthcare system. While it may not be as advanced as those that you can see in Japan or China, the country has very dedicated medical staff who will do their best to help you out. Learn more below!
The Philippine Healthcare
Although the Philippines’ healthcare program is of excellent quality, it differs significantly across rural and urban communities. Basically, private healthcare is much more dependable, and clinics are generally much better equipped than government ones.
Public hospital doctors and nurses are highly qualified in public health care. However, public healthcare in the Philippines has several shortcomings too. As a result, the Philippines’ public health system fluctuates from excellent in urban areas to insufficient in remote areas.
The management of the overwhelming number of Filipinos who rely on government healthcare and even the tendency of Filipino health workers to migrate to Western countries puts government healthcare at risk. Therefore, certain hospitals have overworked staff and/or are usually understaffed. Also, patients may suffer treatment inconveniences.
When it comes to private healthcare, the Philippines has a well-established and growing business. Though doctors at private hospitals are still as skilled as those in public hospitals, private institutions are far more well-equipped, and treatments are usually quicker. Residents consider private services costly, whereas most foreigners consider them to be reasonable.
The Philippines’ increasing reputation as a health tourism destination can be linked to the considerable affordability for private treatment. The following are some of the health issues that are common in the Philippines:
Health Issues In The Philippines
- Nutrition and Physical Activity
- Obesity and Overweight
- Tobacco
- Abuse of Drugs
- HIV/AIDS
- Mental Well-Being
- Violence and Injuries
- Quality of the Environment
- Immunization
- Healthcare Access
Health Vocabularies In Tagalog

Here are a few Tagalog terms to help you expand your medical vocabulary:
Tagalog Words/Phrases | English Translation/Description |
kalusugan | health |
ehersisyo | exercise |
mga sakit | diseases/illnesses |
kamatayan | death |
mga doktor | doctors |
mga sintomas | symptoms |
sakit | sickness |
karamdaman | illness |
masakit | painful |
may sakit | the condition of illness |
matamlay | sluggish |
stroke | stroke |
sore eyes | sore eyes or conjunctivitis |
malabo ang mata | poor eyesight (nearsighted/farsighted) |
bulag | blind |
bingi | deaf |
mga selula | cells |
hatsing/bahing | sneeze |
pipi | mute |
pampublikong kalusugan | public health |
makati ang lalamunan | scratchy or itchy throat |
namamalat ang boses | squeaky voice |
namamalat ang balat | peeling skin |
sakit sa puso | heart problem |
atake sa puso | heart attack |
pamamanhid | numbness |
ngalay | fatigue |
maga | swelling |
namamaga | swollen |
nahawaan | infected |
mahapdi ang balat | when your skin stings, like with mild burns, this is the sort of pain you’ll feel. |
mahapdi ang sikmura | ulcerative colitis is a kind of gastrointestinal discomfort. |
makati ang balat | itchy skin |
tagihawat | acne/pimples |
pasa | bruise |
peklat | scar |
sakit sa simura | stomach pain |
pangangasim ng sikmura | heartburn |
pangangasim ng tiyan | acid reflux |
paghilab ng tiyan | stomach cramps |
sintomas | symptoms |
impatso/impacho | indigestion |
nutrition | nutrisyon |
pagsusuka | vomiting |
suka | vomit |
hilo | dizzy |
pantog | bladder |
paggamot | treatment |
droga | drugs |
almuranas | hemorrhoids |
buntis | pregnant |
pagbubuntis | the condition of being pregnant |
nakunan | pregnancy loss |
raspa | curettage and dilatation |
reseta ng doktor | doctor’s prescription |
dugo | blood |
pagdurugo | bleeding |
mga pasyente sa ospital | hospital patients |
pampalabnaw ng dugo | blood thinner/anticoagulant |
altapresyon | hypertension/high blood |
kasukasuan | joint |
sakit sa kasukasuan | joint problem |
rayuma | rheumatism |
injury | pinsala |
pinsala sa paa | foot injury |
pilay | disabled |
tumutulong sipon | runny nose |
sugat | wound |
nana | pus |
lagnat | fever |
ubo | cough |
pandemya | pandemic |
sipon | colds |
trangkaso | flu |
pasma | This is a well-known Filipino traditional disease that is not recognized by Western medicine. Musculoskeletal spasm may be the closest phrase. |
pasmado | “Pasma” is the state of having “pasma” (see description above). Hand tremors, sweaty hands, numbness, and discomfort are frequently attributed to “pasma.” |
kanser | cancer |
kapansanan | handicapped |
tableta | tablet |
kapsula | capsule |
bitamina | vitamins |
kapansanan sa katawan | living with disabilities |
kapansanan sa pagiisip | mentally challenged |
bawal na gamot | illegal drug |
bawal | forbidden or unlawful |
bakuna | vaccine |
pagbabakuna | vaccination |
pangunahing lunas | first aid |
reseta | medicatios |
botika | drugstore |
ambulansya | ambulance |
klinika | clinic |
gamot | medicine |
pasta | fillings in the teeth |
emergency | hindi inaasahang pangyayari |
naduduwal | nausea |
saklay | crutch |
infection | impeksyon |
pasyente | patients |
bumukod | isolate |
antibiotics | antibiotics |
laboratoryo | laboratory |
mikrobyo | virus/germs/bacteria |
mga nars | nurses |
paglaganap | spread |
mga pagsusuri | tests |
buhay | life |
protokol sa pangkalusugan | health protocol |
tanda | sign |
walang panlasa | a lack of taste |
sistema ng kalusugan | immune system |
may mga sakit | illnesses |
mga ospital | hospitals |
ospital | hospital |
duktor/manggagamot | doctor |
dentista | dentist |
espesyalista | specialist |
nars | nurse |
pasyente | patient |
kondisyon ng mga pasyente | patient’s condition |
mga isyu sa kalusugan | health issues |
opera/operasyon | a surgical procedure |
inopera/naoperahan | surgery was performed |
Explore More About Tagalog With Ling App
Are you looking for the best language learning app to help you master the most commonly used Tagalog words? The Ling App is here to assist you in learning and learning new terminology. To discover more about the Tagalog language, use the Ling App to read and study the Tagalog cooking terms, common Tagalog sports, and characteristics of Filipino people right away.

The Ling App by Simya Solutions is a user-friendly language learning app for non-native speakers. Because the Ling App supports over 60 languages, users may choose from various languages that they want to study.
Furthermore, the app’s engaging language activities, such as interactive quizzes and engaging flashcards, make the learning process of the target language easier. Learners can use the Ling app’s artificial intelligence (A.I.) chatbot to access and ask questions about their target language’s meaning, vocabulary, translations, and other details.
There are also several informative blog posts on a particular language in the app, as well as language reviews and discussions written by language specialists and native speakers. If you’re serious about learning a language, get the Ling App and start studying in a fun and engaging way!