Simple Request at the Pharmacy
Einfache Bitte in der Apotheke
Make a simple request at a pharmacy, answer basic health questions, and pay politely.
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Dialogue
Pharmacist
Guten Tag. Wie kann ich Ihnen helfen?
Good day. How can I help you?
You
Guten Tag. Ich habe Kopfschmerzen.
Good day. I have a headache.
Pharmacist
Oh je. Seit wann haben Sie die Kopfschmerzen?
Oh dear. Since when have you had the headache?
You
Seit heute Morgen.
Since this morning.
Pharmacist
Haben Sie Fieber?
Do you have a fever?
You
Nein, kein Fieber.
No, no fever.
Pharmacist
Gut. Haben Sie schon etwas genommen?
Good. Have you taken something already?
You
Nein, noch nicht.
No, not yet.
Pharmacist
Dann kann ich Ihnen Tabletten gegen Kopfschmerzen geben.
Then I can give you tablets for headaches.
You
Ja, bitte. Ich hätte gerne eine Packung.
Yes, please. I would like a pack.
Pharmacist
Haben Sie Allergien?
Do you have allergies?
You
Nein, keine.
No, none.
Pharmacist
Nehmen Sie andere Medikamente?
Do you take other medicines?
You
Nein.
No.
Pharmacist
Okay. Nehmen Sie bitte eine Tablette. Nicht mehr als drei am Tag.
Okay. Please take one tablet. Not more than three a day.
You
Alles klar. Danke.
All right. Thanks.
Pharmacist
Brauchen Sie auch etwas für den Husten?
Do you also need something for a cough?
You
Nein, danke. Nur die Tabletten.
No, thanks. Only the tablets.
Pharmacist
Gut. Dafür brauchen Sie kein Rezept.
Good. You don't need a prescription for that.
You
Super. Wie viel kostet das?
Great. How much does that cost?
Pharmacist
Das kostet sechs Euro.
That costs six euros.
You
Kann ich mit Karte zahlen?
Can I pay by card?
Pharmacist
Ja, das geht mit Karte.
Yes, paying by card is fine.
You
Dann mit Karte, bitte.
Then by card, please.
Pharmacist
Bitte stecken Sie die Karte ein.
Please insert the card.
You
So?
Like this?
Pharmacist
Ja, genau. Und jetzt die PIN.
Yes, exactly. And now the PIN.
You
Fertig.
Done.
Pharmacist
Danke. Hier ist die Quittung.
Thank you. Here is the receipt.
You
Vielen Dank. Auf Wiedersehen.
Thank you very much. Goodbye.
Key Vocabulary
Cultural Notes
Pharmacies vs. drugstores
In Germany, many medicines are only sold in an Apotheke (pharmacy). A Drogerie like dm or Rossmann sells cosmetics and basic health items, but not most painkillers or prescription medicine.
Prescription or over-the-counter
You can ask "Brauche ich ein Rezept?" in the pharmacy. Many common medicines are rezeptfrei (over-the-counter), while stronger ones require a doctor’s prescription.
Ask for advice at the counter
Pharmacists in Germany often ask short questions (symptoms, allergies, other medicines). This is normal and meant to help you choose something safe.
Keep the leaflet and receipt
Medicines come with a Beipackzettel (leaflet). Keep it and follow the dosage. The Quittung (receipt) is useful for your records, and returns are often not possible once medicine has left the pharmacy.
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