This lesson focuses on writing prescriptions in French, teaching key medical terms like "ordonnance" (prescription), "dosage" (dose), and "posologie" (dosage instructions). You'll learn how to explain treatments, medications such as "amoxicilline" and "paracétamol," and precautions clearly to patients.
Vocabulary (13) Share Copied!
Exercises Share Copied!
These exercises can be done together during conversation lessons or as homework.
Exercise 1: Dialogue Cards
Instruction: Select a situation and practice the conversation with your teacher or fellow students.
Exercise 2: Multiple Choice
Instruction: Choose the correct solution
1. Pour commencer, je _______ si le patient a des allergies aux médicaments.
(To begin, I _______ if the patient has any drug allergies.)2. Ensuite, vous devez _______ la durée du traitement sur l’ordonnance.
(Next, you must _______ the duration of the treatment on the prescription.)3. Nous _______ généralement un comprimé à prendre deux fois par jour.
(We _______ generally one pill to be taken twice a day.)4. Le pharmacien _______ au patient comment prendre le médicament et ses contre-indications.
(The pharmacist _______ to the patient how to take the medicine and its contraindications.)Exercise 3: Prescribing a dental treatment
Instruction:
Verb Tables
Examiner - Examiner
Présent
- j'examine
- tu examines
- il/elle/on examine
- nous examinons
- vous examinez
- ils/elles examinent
Rédiger - Rédiger
Présent
- je rédige
- tu rédiges
- il/elle/on rédige
- nous rédigeons
- vous rédigez
- ils/elles rédigent
Vérifier - Vérifier
Présent
- je vérifie
- tu vérifies
- il/elle/on vérifie
- nous vérifions
- vous vérifiez
- ils/elles vérifient
Devoir - Devoir
Présent
- je dois
- tu dois
- il/elle/on doit
- nous devons
- vous devez
- ils/elles doivent
Être - Être
Présent
- je suis
- tu es
- il/elle/on est
- nous sommes
- vous êtes
- ils/elles sont
Indiquer - Indiquer
Présent
- j'indique
- tu indiques
- il/elle/on indique
- nous indiquons
- vous indiquez
- ils/elles indiquent
Comprendre - Comprendre
Présent
- je comprends
- tu comprends
- il/elle/on comprend
- nous comprenons
- vous comprenez
- ils/elles comprennent
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Overview of the Lesson: Writing Prescriptions in French
This lesson focuses on the practical language skills needed to communicate medical prescriptions effectively in French. It is designed for A2-level learners who want to improve their ability to discuss prescriptions, dosages, treatment instructions, and precautions in a healthcare context.
Key Content Areas
- Explaining prescriptions to patients: Learners practice phrases to describe what medication is prescribed, dosage frequency, and important precautions, such as avoiding alcohol or monitoring for allergic reactions.
- Specific conditions and treatments: The lesson includes dialogues about dental infections, gingival inflammation, and dental pain, demonstrating how to write prescriptions and explain their use clearly.
- Dosage and contraindications: Students learn to specify doses, frequency, and highlight contraindications or signs of adverse effects that require contacting a healthcare provider.
- Useful verbs and their conjugations: The lesson teaches essential verbs like prescrire (to prescribe), expliquer (to explain), communiquer (to communicate), and recommander (to recommend), with practice exercises to master their present tense forms.
Examples of Useful Expressions and Vocabulary
- "Je vous prescris de l'amoxicilline, à prendre trois fois par jour après les repas." – "I prescribe amoxicillin for you, to be taken three times a day after meals."
- "Évitez l'alcool pendant le traitement." – "Avoid alcohol during the treatment."
- "Ne dépassez pas quatre grammes par jour." – "Do not exceed four grams per day."
- "Si vous ressentez des effets indésirables, contactez la clinique immédiatement." – "If you experience side effects, contact the clinic immediately."
Important Language Notes: French vs. English in Medical Prescriptions
French prescription language often uses the formal "vous" form to address patients politely. Verb conjugations reflect this formality, for example, vous expliquez (you explain). Dosage instructions are precise with expressions like trois fois par jour (three times a day) or après les repas (after meals), which match English usage but with slight word order differences.
Common phrases in French prescriptions include il faut (it is necessary) and évitez (avoid), which emphasize recommendations or warnings more explicitly than in English. Understanding these subtle differences helps learners instruct patients clearly and accurately.
Practical Phrases to Remember
- Prescribing medication: "Je vous prescris..." (I prescribe you...)
- Giving dosage instructions: "À prendre..." (To be taken...)
- Warning about side effects: "Consultez en cas de réaction allergique." (Consult in case of allergic reaction.)
- Advising on precautions: "Évitez l'alcool pendant le traitement." (Avoid alcohol during treatment.)
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