English at the Pharmacy
Learn English at the pharmacy. Kiora and Ethan show you how to explain how you feel, ask for medicine, and understand the directions, in simple phrases.
The lesson
Telling the Pharmacist How You Feel
When you visit a pharmacy, the first thing you do is explain your problem. You can say "I have a headache," "I have a cold," "I have a sore throat," or "I have a cough." Use simple sentences like "I don't feel well" or "I feel sick." The pharmacist will listen and then suggest something to help you feel better.
Asking for Medicine
To ask for help, you can say "Do you have something for a headache?" or "Do you have something for a cold?" This is a polite and easy way to start. The pharmacist might ask "How long have you had it?" or "Are you taking any other medicine?" Just answer simply and honestly so they can help you choose the right product.
Over-the-Counter and Prescription Medicine
Some medicine is "over-the-counter," which means you can buy it without a doctor's note. Pain relievers and cold medicine are usually over-the-counter. Other medicine needs a "prescription," a paper or note from your doctor. If you don't have a prescription, the pharmacist may say "You need to see a doctor for that."
Tip: How to Take Your Medicine
Tip: Always check the label or ask the pharmacist how to take your medicine. They might say "Take one tablet twice a day" or "Take it with food." If you feel worse, you can ask "Should I see a doctor?" Remember, a pharmacist gives friendly advice, but for serious problems you should always talk to a real doctor.
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Key vocabulary
headache
/ˈhɛdˌeɪk/a pain in your head
“I have a bad headache, so I need to lie down.”
Traduction
mal de tête
sore throat
/ˌsɔːr ˈθroʊt/pain or soreness in your throat, often when you swallow
“I have a sore throat and it hurts when I drink water.”
Traduction
mal de gorge
cough
/kɔːf/to push air out of your throat with a sudden noise when you are sick
“She has a cough, so she bought some cough syrup.”
Traduction
toux
pain reliever
/ˈpeɪn rɪˌliːvər/a medicine that reduces or stops pain
“Can you recommend a good pain reliever for my back?”
Traduction
antidouleur
over-the-counter
/ˌoʊvər ðə ˈkaʊntər/able to be bought without a doctor's prescription
“This cold medicine is over-the-counter, so you don't need a doctor's note.”
Traduction
en vente libre
prescription
/prɪˈskrɪpʃən/a note from a doctor that lets you buy certain medicine
“You need a prescription to buy this medicine.”
Traduction
ordonnance
dosage
/ˈdoʊsɪdʒ/the amount of medicine you should take and how often
“Please read the label to check the correct dosage.”
Traduction
posologie
Test yourself
1. You wake up with pain in your head. What do you say to the pharmacist?
2. Which question is a polite way to ask for medicine?
3. What does "over-the-counter" medicine mean?
4. The pharmacist says "Take one tablet twice a day." How many tablets do you take each day?
5. You feel much worse and you are not sure what to do. What can you ask?