At the farmacy
En la farmacia
- Discussing symptoms with your doctor.
- Asking for a medicine at the farmacy.
At the pharmacy explores essential Spanish vocabulary like "medicina" (medicine), "receta" (prescription), and useful phrases for buying medicine or asking for advice, equipping learners with practical communication skills.
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Welcome to Your Spanish Lesson: At the Pharmacy
This B1-level lesson is designed to equip you with practical vocabulary and expressions needed when visiting a pharmacy in a Spanish-speaking country. You will learn how to communicate effectively about common health issues, ask for medicines, and understand typical pharmacy interactions.
Key Vocabulary
- La farmacia – Pharmacy
- El medicamento – Medicine
- La receta – Prescription
- El dolor de cabeza – Headache
- El resfriado – Cold
- La pastilla – Pill
- La dosis – Dose
- La pomada – Ointment
Useful Phrases
- "¿Tiene algo para el dolor de garganta?" – Do you have something for a sore throat?
- "Necesito un jarabe para la tos." – I need a cough syrup.
- "¿Cuándo debo tomar este medicamento?" – When should I take this medicine?
- "¿Es necesario mostrar la receta?" – Is it necessary to show a prescription?
Grammar and Usage Highlights
In Spanish, it is common to use the verb tener (to have) when describing symptoms, such as tengo fiebre (I have a fever). Also, the polite form usted is typically used when speaking to pharmacy staff, as it is a formal setting.
Differences Between English and Spanish in This Context
Unlike English, which usually places adjectives before nouns, Spanish places them after: for example, painkiller translates as el calmante (calming agent, noun + adjective-like word). Also, Spanish uses gendered nouns, so la pomada is feminine while el medicamento is masculine. Remember to match articles accordingly.
Pharmacy-related expressions sometimes rely on reflexive verbs, e.g., me duele la cabeza (my head hurts). This structure differs from English and requires attention.
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