Health
How to buy medicine at a pharmacy in China
Updated
To buy medicine in China, tell the pharmacist what is wrong, for example 我肚子疼 (I have a stomach ache). Answer a question or two, then ask how often to take the medicine. This page uses a stomach ache as the example. For anything serious, see a doctor.
What is a Chinese pharmacy like?
A pharmacy, a 药店 (pharmacy), is easy to find in Chinese cities. Look for a green cross. Inside are shelves of boxed medicines and a pharmacist in a white coat at the counter. Many sell both Western and traditional Chinese medicines, sometimes on the same shelf.
For a stomach ache, a cold or a sore throat, people often go straight to a pharmacy, not a doctor. The pharmacist asks a question or two and hands you a box. Medicines that need a prescription, including antibiotics, are not sold this way.
Instructions are spoken, fast, and often end with “drink plenty of hot water”. You can ask the pharmacist to slow down.
Step by step
With a stomach ache as the example. The pharmacist’s lines come from the pharmacy morning in the game.
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Find a pharmacy
Search a map app, look for a green cross, or ask someone. Hotel front desks know the nearest one.
- 附近有药店吗？ (fù jìn yǒu yào diàn ma?) Is there a pharmacy nearby?
Ask it to find out if there is a pharmacy nearby. 附近 (nearby).
- 药店在哪里？ (yào diàn zài ná li?) Where is a pharmacy?
Ask it to find out where the pharmacy is, for example while you point at your map.
They may say 前面，右转 (qián mian, yòu zhuǎn) Up ahead, turn right
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Walk in and say what is wrong
The pharmacist asks where you feel unwell. Name the body part and add 疼 (hurts). If you do not know the word, point and say 疼 (hurts).
- You will hear 欢迎光临！ (huān yíng guāng lín!) Welcome! (The shop greeting. No answer needed.)
- You will hear 你好，哪里不舒服？ (ní hǎo, ná li bù shū fu?) Hello, where do you feel unwell? (不舒服 (unwell))
- 我肚子疼。 (wǒ dù zi téng.) I have a stomachache.
Say it for a stomach ache. 肚子 (belly).
- 疼 (téng) It hurts
Say it while you point at the place that hurts.
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Answer the pharmacist’s questions
For a stomach ache, the pharmacist asks about diarrhoea and what you ate. Short answers are enough.
- You will hear 拉肚子吗？ (lā dù zi ma?) Diarrhea? (拉肚子 (diarrhoea) is the everyday word.)
- You will hear 昨天吃了什么？ (zuó tiān chī le shén me?) What did you eat yesterday?
- 拉肚子。 (lā dù zi.) Diarrhea.
Say it if you have diarrhoea.
- 吃了很多饺子。 (chī le hěn duō jiǎo zi.) I ate a lot of dumplings.
An example of what you ate: “I ate a lot of dumplings.” Swap in your own food for 饺子 (dumplings).
They may say 吃太多了吧！ (chī tài duō le ba!) You ate too much, didn't you! (The pharmacist might tease you a little.)
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Understand how to take it
The pharmacist explains, often in one breath: how many times a day, how many tablets, before or after meals, and what to avoid. Ask them to slow down, then ask how many times a day. Three phrases to catch: 一天三次 (three times a day), 一次两片 (two tablets each time), 饭后 (after meals).
- You will hear 这个药一天三次一次两片饭后吃别吃辣的别喝冰的多喝热水…… (zhè ge yào yì tiān sān cì yí cì liǎng piàn fàn hòu chī bié chī là de bié hē bīng de duō hē rè shuǐ……) This medicine three times a day two tablets each time take it after meals no spicy food no cold drinks drink lots of hot water… (This is how fast it can come.)
- 太快了！请慢一点。 (tài kuài le! qǐng màn yì diǎn.) Too fast! Please a bit slower.
Say it when the instructions go past too fast.
They may say 这个药…… (zhè ge yào……) This medicine… (They start again, slowly.) - 一天几次？ (yì tiān jǐ cì?) How many times a day?
Ask it to find out how many times a day.
They may say 一天三次。 (yì tiān sān cì.) Three times a day. (Repeat it back to check.)
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Listen for the last advice
You will often hear 多喝热水 (drink plenty of hot water). In China, it is standard advice for almost any illness.
- You will hear 对。一次两片。 (duì. yí cì liǎng piàn.) Right. Two tablets each time.
- You will hear 对，饭后吃。多喝热水！ (duì, fàn hòu chī. duō hē rè shuǐ!) Right, take it after meals. Drink lots of hot water!
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Pay and leave
The pharmacist says the price. Pay by scanning the code on the counter, or with cash.
- You will hear 二十六块。 (èr shí liù kuài.) 26 yuan.
- You will hear 慢走！早点好起来！ (màn zǒu! záo diǎn háo qǐ lai!) Take care! Get better soon!
- 扫码付款 (sáo mǎ fù kuǎn) Scan the code to pay
Say it to pay by scanning the code.
- 谢谢，再见！ (xiè xie, zài jiàn!) Thanks, goodbye!
Say it as you leave.
The pinyin shows how the words are really said, as in the game.
Practical tips
Practical points. If you feel seriously unwell, go to a hospital.
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Bring your usual medicines
Pack enough for the whole trip in the original boxes. Bring a copy of the prescription for anything you take every day.
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Show a photo of the box
Show the pharmacist a photo of the box or the name of the active ingredient. Many medicines have different brand names in China.
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Know the emergency number
In mainland China, call 120 for an ambulance.
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Some hospitals have international clinics
Big hospitals in big cities often have an international department where some staff speak English. It costs more than the general clinic.
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Drink boiled or bottled water
People in China do not usually drink tap water straight. Hotel rooms have a kettle, and bottled water is sold everywhere.
Where to practise it in the game
Very Chinese Time in My Life gives you a stomach ache on purpose: the day after a family lunch where you were made to eat dumpling after dumpling.
The fifth morning: in bed
You wake up and say 我肚子疼 (I have a stomach ache). Then you ask your phone 药店在哪里 (where is the pharmacy).
The pharmacy
The pharmacist asks where you feel unwell, if you have diarrhoea, and what you ate yesterday. You answer 吃了很多饺子 (I ate a lot of dumplings), and she laughs. Her instructions come out in one breath. You say 太快了，请慢一点 (too fast, please slow down), ask 一天几次 (how many times a day), and repeat the answer back before you pay.
Back in bed
You take the medicine and say 我好多了 (I feel much better). The day goes on.
Questions
How do I say I have a stomach ache in Chinese?
Say 我肚子疼 (I have a stomach ache). 肚子 (belly) is the stomach and 疼 (hurts) means it hurts. You can also point at any part of your body and say 疼 (hurts).
Can I buy medicine without a prescription in China?
Yes, for common problems. Pharmacies sell many medicines for stomach upsets, colds, pain and allergies after a few questions. Prescription medicines, including antibiotics, need a doctor’s prescription.
What does 一天三次，一次两片 mean?
一天三次，一次两片 (three times a day, two tablets each time). It is how pharmacists usually explain how to take a medicine. They often add 饭后吃 (take it after meals).
How do I say diarrhoea in Chinese?
拉肚子 (diarrhoea) is the everyday word. A pharmacist may ask 拉肚子吗 (do you have diarrhoea). Answer 拉肚子 (diarrhoea) to say yes.
Why do people in China tell you to drink hot water?
It is standard advice in China for almost any illness, from a cold to a stomach ache: 多喝热水 (drink lots of hot water). Pharmacists, friends and family all say it. It is meant kindly.
What is the emergency number for an ambulance in China?
120. The police are 110 and the fire service is 119.
How do I find a pharmacy in China?
Look for a green cross, search a map app, or ask 附近有药店吗 (is there a pharmacy nearby). Pharmacies are common in Chinese cities, and some are open late or all night.