Module 5 of 12 · 门诊中文 Front Desk & Medical Assistant
候诊 Waiting, Delays and Walk-ins
Handle waiting in Mandarin: honest updates, apologies, walk-ins and late arrivals, and checking on a patient who looks worse.
By the end of this module you can…
- Give honest wait updates, and apologize well.
- Explain why patients aren’t seen in arrival order.
- Handle walk-ins: fit them in, rebook, point them to urgent care, or get the nurse.
- Explain the late-arrival policy kindly.
- Check on a waiting patient who looks worse, and get the nurse.
Key vocabulary
Fourteen words from this module. Tap the speaker to hear each one.
Waiting
- 候诊hòu zhěnWaiting to be seen
- 等děngTo wait
- 晚了wǎn leLate; running late
- 加号jiā hàoAn added appointment slot
- 没预约直接来méi yù yuē zhí jiē láiTo walk in without an appointment
- 急诊jí zhěnEmergency room
- 紧急护理中心jǐn jí hù lǐ zhōng xīnUrgent care
- 顺序shùn xùOrder (who goes next)
The waiting room
- 口罩kǒu zhàoFace mask
- 洗手间xǐ shǒu jiānRestroom
- 饮水机yǐn shuǐ jīWater dispenser
- 无线网wú xiàn wǎngWi-Fi
- 儿童区ér tóng qūChildren’s area
- 轮椅lún yǐWheelchair
Ten core phrases
The lines from this module’s take-home phrase sheet. In the course you can print them on one page for your pocket.
- 不好意思，让您久等了。Bù hǎo yì si, ràng nín jiǔ děng le.Sorry to keep you waiting.
- 我帮您问一下，马上告诉您。Wǒ bāng nín wèn yí xià, mǎ shàng gào su nín.Let me check, and I’ll tell you right away.
- 前面还有两位病人，大概还要二十分钟。Qián miàn hái yǒu liǎng wèi bìng rén, dà gài hái yào èr shí fēn zhōng.Two patients ahead; about twenty minutes.
- 我们是按预约时间看病，不是按先来后到。Wǒ men shì àn yù yuē shí jiān kàn bìng, bú shì àn xiān lái hòu dào.We go by appointment time, not arrival order.
- 您想继续等，还是改个时间？Nín xiǎng jì xù děng, hái shi gǎi ge shí jiān?Keep waiting, or reschedule?
- 您没有预约的话，我问一下能不能加号。Nín méi yǒu yù yuē de huà, wǒ wèn yí xià néng bu néng jiā hào.No appointment: let me ask if we can fit you in.
- 今天看不了，又不能等的话，可以去紧急护理中心。Jīn tiān kàn bu liǎo, yòu bù néng děng de huà, kě yǐ qù jǐn jí hù lǐ zhōng xīn.Can’t be seen today and it can’t wait: urgent care.
- 咳嗽的话，请戴上口罩。Ké sou de huà, qǐng dài shang kǒu zhào.If you’re coughing, please put on a mask.
- 您还好吗？我马上请护士过来。Nín hái hǎo ma? Wǒ mǎ shàng qǐng hù shi guò lai.Are you all right? I’ll get the nurse right away.
- 谢谢您的耐心。Xiè xie nín de nài xīn.Thank you for your patience.
What’s in Module 5
- Part 1 · Warm-UpWarm-Up: Waiting
- Part 2 · The Words for WaitingReading the PinyinSaying 等一下 vs. Writing 候诊Vocabulary · Flash CardsFour Kinds of Wait
- Part 3 · Keeping Patients InformedThe Wait Update ScriptHonest UpdatesKey PatternsWhy Not First Come, First Served?Walk-insWhen the Patient Is Late
- Part 4 · The Waiting RoomComfort in the Waiting RoomWatch the Waiting RoomWhen the Doctor Has to Cancel
- Part 5 · Concerns & Calling InWhat Patients SayCalling Patients InThree More Words
- Part 6 · Role-PlayRound 1 · Guided ConversationRound 2 · Controlled PracticeRounds 3, 4 & 5 · Independent
- Part 7 · Knowledge CheckModule 5 Knowledge Check
- Part 8 · Wrap-UpModule 5 HomeworkTake-Home Phrase SheetModule 5 Wrap-Up · 下次见
Practice it properly
The full module adds dialogues, role-plays, pronunciation drills and a Knowledge Check. Pass the check to earn a certificate of completion you can add to LinkedIn.