Medical German for the FSP
Prepare for the German medical language exam (FSP) with doctor-patient listening, clinic word flashcards and speaking practice. Language training only.
Prepared by Deutsch Schreiben. ·
Language training, not medical advice. Deutsch Schreiben is not an exam provider and is not linked to any exam authority.
Medical content reviewed by Dr. Mohammed Majed, physician. Last reviewed: 14 November 2026.
What is the FSP?
The Fachsprachprüfung (FSP) is the German medical language exam that many international doctors take before they can work in Germany. It checks how well you communicate in German at work, not your medical knowledge. It usually has three parts: a conversation with a patient, a short written report, and a talk with a doctor colleague about the case. Details differ between federal states, so check the current rules where you apply.
The three parts in detail
- Doctor-patient conversation (Arzt-Patienten-Gespräch): you take a patient's history in German, listen, ask follow-up questions and explain the next steps in plain language. An examiner plays the patient.
- Written documentation (Dokumentation): you write up the case in a structured form, similar to a short Arztbrief.
- Doctor-to-doctor talk (Arzt-Arzt-Gespräch): you present the case to a colleague and answer questions, now using medical terms.
Each part often takes around 20 minutes. The exam usually expects medical German at C1 level, and many places first ask for general German at B2. Formats and requirements differ between federal states, so always check the current rules where you apply.
Useful phrases for the patient conversation
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Guten Tag, mein Name ist … Ich bin hier Assistenzarzt / Assistenzärztin. | Hello, my name is … I am a junior doctor here. |
| Was führt Sie heute zu uns? | What brings you here today? |
| Wo genau haben Sie Schmerzen? | Where exactly is the pain? |
| Wie stark sind die Schmerzen von 0 bis 10? | How strong is the pain from 0 to 10? |
| Nehmen Sie regelmäßig Medikamente ein? | Do you take any medication regularly? |
| Haben Sie Allergien? | Do you have any allergies? |
| Habe ich Sie richtig verstanden, dass …? | Did I understand you correctly that …? |
Patient words and colleague words
Patients use everyday words; with colleagues and in writing you use the medical term. Practise both.
| Everyday word | Medical term | English |
|---|---|---|
| Bluthochdruck | Hypertonie | high blood pressure |
| Zuckerkrankheit | Diabetes mellitus | diabetes |
| Schlaganfall | Apoplex | stroke |
| Herzinfarkt | Myokardinfarkt | heart attack |
| Kopfschmerzen | Zephalgie | headache |
How the written part is usually built
A clear order helps: patient details, reason for admission, current history, previous illnesses, medication, allergies, social and family history, then the planned next steps. Write in full sentences; the passive is common: Der Patient wurde stationär aufgenommen.
Common language mistakes
- Switching from Sie to du with a patient.
- Using medical terms with the patient instead of everyday words.
- Telling the patient's story in the present tense; use the Perfekt: Die Schmerzen haben gestern angefangen.
- Wrong articles for body parts: der Bauch, die Brust, das Knie.
What you can practise in Deutsch Schreiben
- Medical German course: step by step, from body parts to doctor-to-doctor talk.
- Flashcards: body parts, illnesses and clinic words, shown again right before you would forget them.
- Word games: match pairs, listen and pick, and a der/die/das race.
- Doctor-patient listening: 40 consultations. Hear each one twice, then answer four questions.
- Doctor's lines: 100 questions a doctor asks. Hear each one, say it, and see how much came through.
- Writing correction: write in German and the AI tutor explains each mistake in English or Arabic.
First words for the clinic
| German | English |
|---|---|
| der Kopf | head |
| der Bauch | belly |
| der Rücken | back |
| die Brust | chest |
| das Knie | knee |
| die Schmerzen | pain |
| Wie kann ich Ihnen helfen? | How can I help you? |
| Seit wann haben Sie die Schmerzen? | Since when have you had the pain? |
How to practise
- Learn every noun with its article: der Bauch, not just Bauch.
- Use Sie with patients and colleagues.
- Say the patient conversation aloud every day, even for five minutes.
- After each listening, write a short summary in German and let the tutor correct it.
Common questions
What level of German do I need for the FSP?
Usually medical German at C1 level; many federal states first ask for general German at B2. Requirements differ, so check the current rules where you apply.
What are the parts of the Fachsprachprüfung?
Usually three: a doctor-patient conversation, a written documentation of the case, and a doctor-to-doctor talk. Each often takes about 20 minutes.
Can an app replace an FSP course?
No. Deutsch Schreiben is language practice for listening, words, speaking and writing. It is not an exam provider and gives no medical advice.