Unit 13 · HealthA2Lesson 4 of 5: At the pharmacy
At the pharmacy in European Portuguese
This is lesson 4 of 5 in Unit 13, Health (Saúde), an A2 unit in which you say what hurts, describe your symptoms and get help at the pharmacy, the health centre and the hospital. The new words are o medicamento (medicine), a receita (prescription), o comprimido (pill) and 4 more, practised in 10 example sentences. Building on Feeling ill, it gets you to sentences like Este medicamento precisa de receita? (“Does this medicine need a prescription?”). The unit’s grammar notes cover “Sinto-me bem: how do you feel?” and “Health care in Portugal”.
Words in this lesson
| Portuguese | English |
|---|---|
o medicamento | medicine |
a receita | prescriptionAlso a recipe for cooking. From the doctor: a receita médica. |
o comprimido | pill |
o xarope | syrup |
o penso | plasterAlso called o penso rápido. |
o farmacêuticoalso a farmacêutica | pharmacist |
vezes por diaalso vezes ao dia | times a dayDuas vezes por dia = twice a day. |
Example sentences
- Eu queria um xarope para a tosse, se faz favor.I'd like a cough syrup, please.Xarope para a tosse = cough syrup.
- Este medicamento precisa de receita?Does this medicine need a prescription?Precisar de = to need.
- Tome um comprimido três vezes por dia.Pharmacist: Take one pill three times a day.A pharmacist usually adds extra respect: Tome (from tomar). To a friend: Toma.
- A receita está no meu telemóvel.The prescription is on my phone.In Portugal, prescriptions usually arrive by text message, with a code for the pharmacy.
- Eu preciso de pensos.I need some plasters.Precisar de = to need. Don't forget the de.
- A farmacêutica é muito simpática.The pharmacist is very nice.
- Há alguma farmácia de serviço aqui perto?Is there a duty pharmacy near here?A farmácia de serviço stays open at night and at weekends.
- Tu tens de tomar o xarope à noite.You have to take the syrup at night.Ter de + infinitive = to have to: tens de tomar. Ter que means the same.
- Eu vou à farmácia buscar os medicamentos.I'm going to the pharmacy to get the medicine.Ir buscar = to go and get, to pick up.
- Quantas vezes por dia?How many times a day?
Grammar notes
The grammar notes for this lesson are on the page for Unit 13: Health: