Pharmacy & Health

1. 有头痛药吗？

   Yǒu tóu tòng yào ma?

   Do you have headache medicine?

   Usage

   Ask for headache medicine at a pharmacy in China

   Grammar Note

   "You...ma?" is the basic Chinese question for asking about availability. "Ma" at the end marks the question

2. 我需要胃药

   Wǒ xū yào wèi yào

   I need stomach medicine

   Usage

   Use when you need stomach medicine

   Grammar Note

   "Wo xuyao..." = "I need..." Standard expression for requesting something at a pharmacy

3. 我需要止泻药

   Wǒ xū yào zhǐ xiè yào

   I need anti-diarrhea medicine

   Usage

   Ask for anti-diarrhea medicine

   Grammar Note

   "Zhixieyao" = "diarrhea-stopping medicine". "Huangliansu" (berberine) is a commonly used antidiarrheal in China

4. 我发烧了

   Wǒ fā shāo le

   I have a fever

   Usage

   Tell the pharmacist you have a fever

   Grammar Note

   "Le" marks a change of state — "I have developed a fever". More natural than simply saying "I have fever"

5. 我有过敏症

   Wǒ yǒu guò mǐn zhèng

   I have an allergy

   Usage

   Inform the pharmacist about your allergy

   Grammar Note

   "Wo dui...guomin" = "I am allergic to...". E.g., "Wo dui qingmeisu guomin" (allergic to penicillin)

6. 我需要创可贴

   Wǒ xū yào chuāng kě tiē

   I need bandages/plasters

   Usage

   Ask for bandages or plasters at a pharmacy

   Grammar Note

   "Chuangketie" is the common Chinese name. "Bangdi" (Band-Aid brand) is also widely recognized

7. 我需要驱虫喷雾

   Wǒ xū yào qū chóng pēn wù

   I need insect repellent

   Usage

   Ask for insect repellent at a pharmacy

   Grammar Note

   "Quchong" = drive away insects. "Fangwenye" (防蚊液, mosquito repellent liquid) is also common

8. 我需要防晒霜

   Wǒ xū yào fáng shài shuāng

   I need sunscreen

   Usage

   Ask for sunscreen at a pharmacy

   Grammar Note

   "Fangshaichuang" = sun protection cream. SPF is universally understood. China has excellent sunscreen variety due to skin-whitening culture

9. 这个药怎么吃？

   Zhè ge yào zěn me chī?

   How do I take this medicine?

   Usage

   Ask the pharmacist how to take the medicine

   Grammar Note

   Chinese uses "chi" (eat) for taking medicine. "He yao" (drink medicine) is also correct but "chi yao" is more common

10. 需要处方吗？

    Xū yào chǔ fāng ma?

    Do I need a prescription?

    Usage

    Check if a prescription is needed

    Grammar Note

    "Chufang" = prescription. Chinese pharmacies clearly distinguish "chufangyao" (Rx) from "OTC" (非处方药)

11. 处方

    Chǔfāng

    Prescription

    Usage

    The prescription a doctor writes; shown at the pharmacy counter

12. 药店

    Yàodiàn

    Pharmacy

    Usage

    The word for a pharmacy; show it when asking where one is

13. 体温计

    Tǐwēnjì

    Thermometer

    Usage

    Shown at a pharmacy when buying a thermometer

14. 绷带

    Bēngdài

    Bandage

    Usage

    Shown at a pharmacy when asking for a bandage

15. 消毒液

    Xiāodúyè

    Antiseptic solution

    Usage

    Asks for antiseptic; "xiāodú" alone is the verb "to disinfect"

16. 口罩

    Kǒuzhào

    Face mask

    Usage

    A hygienic face mask; a costume mask is "miànjù"

17. 卫生巾

    Wèishēngjīn

    Sanitary pads

    Usage

    Written "wèishēngjīn" in mainland China and "wèishēngmián" in Taiwan

18. 避孕套

    Bìyùntào

    Condom

    Usage

    Shown at a pharmacy or convenience store

19. 眼药水

    Yǎnyàoshuǐ

    Eye drops

    Usage

    Shown at a pharmacy when asking for eye drops

20. 膏药

    Gāoyào

    Medicated patch

    Usage

    The adhesive patch put on a sore shoulder or back

21. 退烧药

    Tuìshāoyào

    Fever reducer

    Usage

    Asks for medicine to bring a fever down

22. 请给我通便药

    Qǐng gěi wǒ tōngbiàn yào

    A laxative, please

    Usage

    Ask for a laxative at a pharmacy when constipated

    Grammar Note

    "请给我 + noun" is the standard "please give me ...". "通便" is "to get the stool moving", so "通便药" is a laxative; a strong purgative is "泻药". You can also show the symptom word "便秘"

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