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NAATI CCL Tips
NAATI CCL Medical Vocabulary: GP, Hospital and Pharmacy Terms (with Quiz)
NAATI CCL MEDICAL VOCABULARY
The health words you'll actually need in a CCL dialogue
GP visits, the emergency department, the chemist and Medicare: core NAATI CCL medical vocabulary in English, Urdu and Hindi, with interpreting examples and a quick quiz.
At a glance
What you'll learn
- About 60 everyday health terms in four settings
- Australian terms like bulk billing, script and repeats
- What to do when you don't know a word
- Weak vs strong renditions of health segments
Who it's for
- CCL candidates in any language
- Urdu and Hindi speakers (full term tables)
- Anyone who froze on a medical word in practice
- Candidates new to the Australian health system
Skills covered
- Accurate, natural health terminology
- Doses, times and frequencies without omissions
- Paraphrasing a term you don't know
- Both directions: English and your language
In this guide
- Why NAATI CCL medical vocabulary matters
- GP appointment vocabulary
- Hospital and emergency department terms
- Pharmacy and medication vocabulary
- Medicare and Australian health system terms
- Body parts and symptoms
- What to do when you don't know a medical word
- Correct vs incorrect interpreting examples
- NAATI CCL medical vocabulary quiz
- FAQ
Health is one of the topic areas NAATI lists for the CCL test, and it’s where many candidates first freeze. Not on long Latin words, but on everyday Australian ones: bulk billing, script, repeats, referral. You know them; you’ve just never said them in Urdu or Hindi within five seconds.
This guide to NAATI CCL medical vocabulary fixes that. It groups the terms by setting (the GP, the hospital, the chemist, Medicare), gives natural Urdu and Hindi equivalents, shows good and weak renditions, and ends with a 10-question quiz. For terms across all the other topics, start with our general NAATI CCL vocabulary guide; this page goes deeper on health.
We’re an independent practice platform, not part of NAATI, and NAATI doesn’t publish an official word list. Official rules below come from NAATI’s CCL test page, candidate instructions and CCL language policy; the word lists are our own.
Why NAATI CCL medical vocabulary matters
Each CCL dialogue is about 300 words, cut into segments of 35 words or less, and you must start interpreting within five seconds of the chime. Dictionaries and other electronic resources aren’t allowed. A missing word costs you a long pause, a gap or an awkward description. Each dialogue is worth 45 marks, and NAATI’s pass mark is 63 out of 90 with at least 29 in each dialogue (see how the CCL pass mark works).
Good news: CCL is a community-level test, and health dialogues use the language a GP, nurse or pharmacist uses with a patient, not textbook terminology. In the CCL, natural everyday terms are fine. If most Urdu speakers say شوگر rather than ذیابیطس for diabetes, either works, as long as the meaning is exact.
Can you use English words? NAATI’s language policy says limited use of English words is acceptable in Urdu where they’re part of normal usage and easily understood (its own examples are school, operation and gas bill). For Hindi, words from English that Hindi speakers commonly understand, especially in scientific and technical fields, are permitted. Numbers are different: in Hindi, saying an English number such as “thirty-six” instead of the Hindi word is penalised.
GP appointment vocabulary
Most health dialogues start at a GP clinic, so this is the first block of NAATI CCL medical vocabulary to learn. These GP appointment vocabulary items cover booking, symptoms, results and referrals. Where two options are shown, the first is the everyday choice.
| English | Urdu | Hindi | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| GP (family doctor) | فیملی ڈاکٹر (جی پی) | फ़ैमिली डॉक्टर (जीपी) | First stop for most health issues |
| appointment | اپوائنٹمنٹ / وقت | अपॉइंटमेंट | Loanword is the natural choice in both |
| check-up | معائنہ / چیک اپ | जाँच / चेकअप | |
| referral (letter) | ریفرل لیٹر | रेफ़रल लेटर | A letter to see a specialist |
| specialist | ماہر ڈاکٹر / اسپیشلسٹ | विशेषज्ञ डॉक्टर / स्पेशलिस्ट | Keep the speciality: “heart specialist” |
| blood test | خون کا ٹیسٹ | ख़ून की जाँच / ब्लड टेस्ट | Also called a pathology test |
| test results | ٹیسٹ کی رپورٹ / نتائج | टेस्ट की रिपोर्ट / नतीजे | |
| blood pressure | بلڈ پریشر | ब्लड प्रेशर / रक्तचाप | |
| diabetes | شوگر / ذیابیطس | शुगर / मधुमेह | “Sugar” is the everyday word in both |
| medical certificate | میڈیکل سرٹیفکیٹ | मेडिकल सर्टिफ़िकेट | Proof for work that you were unwell |
| follow-up appointment | دوبارہ معائنے کا وقت | दोबारा दिखाने का अपॉइंटमेंट | Don’t drop “follow-up” |
Watch out: in Australia a GP’s clinic is often called a surgery (“the surgery will call you”). That isn’t an operation. Our post on the 12 NAATI CCL dialogue topic areas shows how health dialogues are usually set up.
Hospital and emergency department terms
Hospital dialogues involve urgency, procedures and discharge instructions. Keep every time and instruction.
| English | Urdu | Hindi | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| emergency department (ED) | ایمرجنسی | इमरजेंसी विभाग | Australians say ED or “emergency” |
| triage | مریض کی حالت دیکھ کر باری طے کرنا | मरीज़ की हालत देखकर बारी तय करना | Paraphrase the function |
| to be admitted | ہسپتال میں داخل ہونا | अस्पताल में भर्ती होना | |
| to be discharged | ہسپتال سے چھٹی ملنا | अस्पताल से छुट्टी मिलना | |
| ward | وارڈ | वार्ड | |
| operation / surgery | آپریشن | ऑपरेशन | A NAATI example of an accepted English word in Urdu |
| anaesthetic | بے ہوشی کی دوا / سن کرنے کی دوا | बेहोशी की दवा / सुन्न करने की दवा | General vs local |
| scan / X-ray / ultrasound | اسکین / ایکسرے / الٹراساؤنڈ | स्कैन / एक्स-रे / अल्ट्रासाउंड | |
| fracture | ہڈی ٹوٹنا / فریکچر | हड्डी टूटना / फ़्रैक्चर | |
| stitches | ٹانکے | टाँके |
Pharmacy and medication vocabulary
Pharmacy dialogues are full of numbers: how many tablets, how often, for how long. This pharmacy vocabulary for CCL is where small omissions cost the most. To practise this setting, our Test 7 has a Blister Pack dialogue in Urdu and a Chemist dialogue in Hindi.
| English | Urdu | Hindi | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| chemist / pharmacy | میڈیکل اسٹور / فارمیسی | केमिस्ट / मेडिकल स्टोर | Both words are common |
| prescription / script | نسخہ | पर्ची / प्रिस्क्रिप्शन | “Script” is everyday Australian English |
| repeats (on a script) | اسی نسخے پر دوبارہ دوا | उसी पर्ची पर दोबारा दवा | Explain the meaning |
| dose | خوراک | ख़ुराक | |
| one tablet twice a day | ایک گولی دن میں دو بار | एक गोली दिन में दो बार | Not the same as “two tablets a day” |
| on an empty stomach / after meals | خالی پیٹ / کھانے کے بعد | ख़ाली पेट / खाने के बाद | |
| side effects | سائیڈ ایفیکٹس / مضر اثرات | साइड इफ़ेक्ट / दुष्प्रभाव | |
| over the counter | بغیر نسخے کے ملنے والی دوا | बिना पर्ची के मिलने वाली दवा | |
| generic brand | اسی دوا کا سستا برانڈ | उसी दवा का सस्ता ब्रांड | Same medicine, usually cheaper |
| blister pack (dose pack) | خانوں والا دواؤں کا پیک | खानों वाला दवाओं का पैक | Tablets sorted by day and time |
💡 Quick tip for numbers
Doses and times carry marks. Say “one tablet twice a day”, never just “two tablets”. In Hindi, say numbers in Hindi (NAATI’s language policy penalises English numbers in Hindi), and convert millions to lakhs or crores.
Medicare and Australian health system terms
This Medicare vocabulary is the most Australian part of NAATI CCL medical vocabulary, so recent arrivals often find it hardest. With no single equivalent, interpret the meaning in a short phrase.
| English | Urdu | Hindi | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medicare card | میڈیکیئر کارڈ | मेडिकेयर कार्ड | Keep the name; it’s a proper noun |
| bulk billing | آپ کو کچھ ادا نہیں کرنا، ڈاکٹر میڈیکیئر سے پیسے لیتے ہیں | आपको कुछ नहीं देना, डॉक्टर मेडिकेयर से पैसे लेते हैं | See the official definition below |
| out-of-pocket cost / gap | اپنی جیب سے دی جانے والی رقم | अपनी जेब से देने वाली रक़म | |
| private health insurance | پرائیویٹ ہیلتھ انشورنس | प्राइवेट हेल्थ इंश्योरेंस | |
| PBS medicines | حکومت کی سبسڈی والی دوائیں | सरकारी सब्सिडी वाली दवाइयाँ | Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme |
| health care card | ہیلتھ کیئر کارڈ (رعایتی کارڈ) | हेल्थ केयर कार्ड (रियायती कार्ड) | A government concession card |
| Triple Zero (000) | ٹرپل زیرو، ایمرجنسی نمبر | ट्रिपल ज़ीरो, आपातकालीन नंबर | Australia’s emergency number |
Services Australia defines bulk billing as the health professional billing Medicare and accepting the Medicare benefit as full payment, so the patient pays nothing for that service. Not every service in a visit is necessarily bulk billed. Under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, the government subsidises the cost of many medicines.
Body parts and symptoms
Patients describe symptoms in everyday words, and your NAATI CCL medical vocabulary should match: “my head is spinning” means dizzy.
| English | Urdu | Hindi | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| chest pain | سینے میں درد | सीने में दर्द | |
| short of breath | سانس پھولنا | साँस फूलना | |
| dizzy | چکر آنا | चक्कर आना | |
| nausea / vomiting | متلی / الٹی | जी मिचलाना / उल्टी | |
| fever | بخار | बुख़ार | |
| swelling | سوجن | सूजन | |
| rash | جلد پر دانے | त्वचा पर दाने / चकत्ते | |
| sore throat | گلے میں خراش | गले में ख़राश | |
| lower back / ankle / wrist | کمر کا نچلا حصہ / ٹخنہ / کلائی | कमर का निचला हिस्सा / टख़ना / कलाई | |
| kidney / liver | گردہ / جگر | गुर्दा / लिवर (जिगर) |
What to do when you don't know a medical word
Even with strong NAATI CCL medical vocabulary, you’ll meet a word you don’t know. Don’t freeze or skip it:
- Interpret the function. “Cardiologist” becomes “heart specialist”.
- Use the English word if your community does. NAATI’s language policy accepts limited English words that speakers commonly use, such as X-ray or operation.
- Use your repeat wisely. NAATI allows one repeated segment per dialogue without penalty; more than that costs marks.
- Self-correct cleanly. If you get a term wrong, NAATI’s instructions let you correct yourself with a phrase such as “Sorry, I’ll just say that part again.” Frequent corrections still cost marks.
- Never invent. A plain, accurate paraphrase beats a guess.
Keep the first person throughout: “I’ve had a cough for two weeks”, not “she says she has a cough”. NAATI says indirect speech may lose marks. Our note-taking drills help you hold onto doses and dates.
Correct vs incorrect interpreting examples
Here’s NAATI CCL medical vocabulary in action: three health segments, each with a weak and a stronger rendition.
1. GP, English into Urdu
English: “I’m referring you to a cardiologist, a heart specialist. Take this letter to the appointment and bring your Medicare card.”
Weak: ڈاکٹر نے آپ کو ایک خط دیا ہے۔ (“The doctor has given you a letter.”) Third person; drops the cardiologist and Medicare card.
Stronger: میں آپ کو دل کے ماہر ڈاکٹر یعنی کارڈیالوجسٹ کے پاس بھیج رہا ہوں۔ یہ خط اپوائنٹمنٹ پر لے جائیں اور اپنا میڈیکیئر کارڈ ساتھ لائیں۔
2. Patient, Hindi into English
Hindi: मुझे कल रात से सीने में दर्द है और सीढ़ियाँ चढ़ते समय साँस फूल जाती है।
Weak: “He has chest pain.” Indirect speech, and it omits since last night and short of breath on the stairs.
Stronger: “I’ve had chest pain since last night, and I get short of breath when I climb the stairs.”
3. Pharmacist, English into Hindi
English: “Take one tablet twice a day after meals, and don’t drink alcohol while you’re on these antibiotics.”
Weak: दिन में दो गोली लीजिए। (“Take two tablets a day.”) Changes the dose; omits after meals and the alcohol warning.
Stronger: एक गोली दिन में दो बार खाना खाने के बाद लीजिए, और जब तक ये एंटीबायोटिक चल रही हैं, शराब मत पीजिए।
For more on register and loanwords, see our NAATI CCL Urdu guide, or browse the Hindi practice tests and Urdu practice tests.
NAATI CCL medical vocabulary quiz
Ten quick questions. Answer out loud before you check, and try to start each answer within five seconds.
Part A: say it in Urdu or Hindi
1. follow-up appointment 2. side effects 3. to be discharged 4. short of breath
Part B: what does it mean in Australia?
5. bulk billing 6. a script with two repeats 7. “The surgery will call you” 8. ED
Part C: interpret the segment
9. English: “Your blood test shows your sugar is high. I’d like to see you again in two weeks, and please don’t eat anything after midnight before the next test.”
10. Urdu: مجھے کل سے گلے میں خراش ہے اور تھوڑا بخار بھی ہے۔
Hindi: मुझे कल से गले में ख़राश है और थोड़ा बुख़ार भी है।
Suggested answers
1. Urdu دوبارہ معائنے کا وقت · Hindi दोबारा दिखाने का अपॉइंटमेंट 2. سائیڈ ایفیکٹس / مضر اثرات · साइड इफ़ेक्ट / दुष्प्रभाव 3. ہسپتال سے چھٹی ملنا · अस्पताल से छुट्टी मिलना 4. سانس پھولنا · साँस फूलना
5. The doctor bills Medicare and accepts the Medicare benefit as full payment, so the patient pays nothing for that service. 6. A prescription you can fill now and then twice more without seeing the doctor again. 7. The GP clinic will phone you (not an operation). 8. The hospital’s emergency department.
9, Urdu: آپ کے خون کے ٹیسٹ سے پتا چلا ہے کہ آپ کی شوگر زیادہ ہے۔ میں آپ کو دو ہفتے بعد دوبارہ دیکھنا چاہتا ہوں، اور براہِ کرم اگلے ٹیسٹ سے پہلے آدھی رات کے بعد کچھ نہ کھائیں۔
Hindi: आपके ब्लड टेस्ट से पता चला है कि आपकी शुगर ज़्यादा है। मैं आपको दो हफ़्ते बाद दोबारा देखना चाहता हूँ, और कृपया अगले टेस्ट से पहले आधी रात के बाद कुछ न खाएँ।
10, English: “I’ve had a sore throat since yesterday, and I’ve got a bit of a fever too.” Check you kept since yesterday and a bit of.
Score: 9–10, you’re in good shape. 6–8, review the tables for a week. Under 6, make flashcards and retry in three days.
Ready to use your medical vocabulary in a real dialogue?
Word lists alone won’t do it. Test 1 puts your NAATI CCL medical vocabulary to work in a GP clinic and an emergency department, with human marking and feedback on each segment.
Related NAATI CCL guides
GUIDE
The general hub: core terms across all 12 CCL topic areas.
GUIDE
Fit vocabulary into a daily 45-minute routine.
GUIDE
What health, housing, legal and other dialogues look like.
GUIDE
Every screen and step of the online test, in order.
Frequently asked questions
What NAATI CCL medical vocabulary do I need?
NAATI doesn’t publish an official word list. Health is one of its listed topic areas, so learn everyday terms for GP visits, hospitals, pharmacies, Medicare and symptoms in both directions.
Can I use English medical words like 'operation' or 'X-ray' in Urdu or Hindi?
Yes, within limits. NAATI’s CCL language policy accepts limited use of English words that speakers commonly use and understand; ‘operation’ is one of its Urdu examples. In Hindi, though, numbers must be said in Hindi, not English.
Do I need technical medical terms for the CCL test?
Rarely. CCL is a community-level test, so health dialogues usually use the language a doctor uses with a patient. If a technical term comes up, interpret its meaning, for example ‘heart specialist’ for ‘cardiologist’.
What should I do if I don't know a medical word in the test?
Interpret the function of the word in plain language rather than skipping it. You can repeat one segment per dialogue without penalty, and you may correct yourself once with a short phrase such as ‘Sorry, I’ll just say that part again.’
How should I practise NAATI CCL medical vocabulary?
Learn terms by setting, say them aloud in both languages, then use them in timed, recorded dialogues. Check every dose, time and body part, and get a full practice test marked to see what you missed.
Put your health vocabulary to work
NAATI CCL medical vocabulary sticks when you use it under time pressure. Pick a practice test, record yourself and let the feedback show what to review next.