Ever landed in a new city and needed medicine fast? Let’s get you ready to speak up at la farmacia in Spanish. In this A2-friendly guide, you’ll learn key vocab, simple phrases to explain symptoms, how to use me duele vs tengo dolor, and what to expect culturally. ¡Vamos! (Let’s go!)

Vocabulario esencial en la farmacia

We’ll learn useful words you’ll hear at the counter. Read the Spanish, then check the translation and example.

Phrases to ask for help (Frases para pedir ayuda)

When you arrive, greet and state your need simply:

• Hola, buenas. (Hi, hello.)
• ¿Tiene algo para…? (Do you have something for…?)
• Necesito… (I need…)
• ¿Me recomienda algo? (Do you recommend something for me?)

Now try these frames with common symptoms.

Me duele vs Tengo dolor

Spanish uses two common ways to talk about pain:

• Me duele + singular body part (My … hurts). Example: Me duele la garganta. (My throat hurts.)
• Me duelen + plural body parts. Example: Me duelen los ojos. (My eyes hurt.)
• Tengo dolor de + body part. Example: Tengo dolor de espalda. (I have back pain.)

Notice the articles with body parts: la cabeza, los ojos. In Spanish we often use the definite article, not possessive adjectives, because the indirect object pronoun (me) shows who experiences the pain.

Me la garganta.

Me los ojos.

Purpose and dosage: para + noun, cada + time

Use para to say “for” a condition or purpose:

• Es para la fiebre. (It’s for fever.)
• Necesito algo para la alergia. (I need something for allergies.)

For dosage/frequency, Spanish often uses cada + period:

• Tome 10 ml cada 8 horas. (Take 10 ml every 8 hours.)
• Dos veces al día. (Twice a day.)

Practice a common instruction.

Tome 10 ml 8 horas.

Mini-quiz: pharmacy know-how

Choose the best answer and check the explanation.

En la práctica: ordenar un diálogo

Put the conversation in the correct order. Read all lines carefully: greetings, symptoms, advice, and prescription check.

More handy lines (Más frases útiles)

Use these during your visit:

• ¿Cuánto cuesta? (How much is it?)
• ¿Tiene algo sin azúcar? (Do you have something sugar-free?)
• ¿Puedo tomarlo con comida? (Can I take it with food?)
• Me siento mal desde anoche. (I’ve felt sick since last night.)
• Tengo resfriado, pero no fiebre. (I have a cold, but no fever.)

Cultura: cómo funciona la farmacia

In Spain and many Latin American countries, pharmacists often offer advice (consejos). You can ask: ¿Qué me recomienda? (What do you recommend?)

• Farmacia vs parafarmacia: A parafarmacia sells health products but usually not prescription medicines (medicamentos con receta).
• Farmacia de guardia: An on-duty pharmacy open outside normal hours. Look for a sign or check online.
• Antibióticos: Often require receta. Don’t be surprised if they refuse to sell without it. Being polite helps: “Por favor” and “gracias” go a long way!

Mi cabeza duele. → Me duele la cabeza. Use me duele + article + body part, not possessive. Soy alérgico de la penicilina. → Soy alérgico a la penicilina. Use the preposition a + thing for allergies. Necesito receta se toma cada 8 horas. → Necesito receta. Se toma cada 8 horas. Two separate statements. Use a full stop to avoid confusion.

Quick review (Repaso rápido)

• Ask for help: ¿Tiene algo para la tos? / Necesito un analgésico.
• Explain pain: Me duele la garganta. / Me duelen los ojos. / Tengo dolor de espalda.
• Dosage: Tome 10 ml cada 8 horas. / Dos veces al día.
• Check prescription: ¿Necesita receta?

You’ve got the essentials to navigate a real pharmacy visit. Next time you’re under the weather, you’ll know exactly what to say. ¡Ánimo! (You got this!)