French pharmacy phrases (A1–B1) — symptoms, advice, dosage, OTC
French pharmacy phrases help you explain symptoms, ask for over-the-counter help, and confirm dosage and side effects. This A1–B1 guide gives short bilingual lines with IPA and polite frames, plus real scenarios so you can speak simply, check safety details, and leave with the right product.
1) Start the conversation (A1)
Open with a greeting and your main need. Keep it polite and short.
🇫🇷 FR — Bonjour, j’ai mal à la gorge. /bɔ̃ʒuʁ ʒe mal a la gɔʁʒ/
🇺🇸 EN — Hello, I have a sore throat.
🇫🇷 FR — Je cherche quelque chose sans ordonnance. /ʃɛʁʃ sɑ̃ ɔʁdɔnɑ̃s/
🇺🇸 EN — I am looking for something over the counter.
🇫🇷 FR — C’est pour moi/mon enfant/mon partenaire.
🇺🇸 EN — It is for me/my child/my partner.
2) Describe symptoms (A1→A2)
🇫🇷 FR — J’ai de la fièvre depuis hier.
🇺🇸 EN — I have had a fever since yesterday.
🇫🇷 FR — Je tousse et j’ai le nez qui coule.
🇺🇸 EN — I am coughing and have a runny nose.
🇫🇷 FR — Je me suis foulé la cheville.
🇺🇸 EN — I sprained my ankle.
🇫🇷 FR — J’ai une réaction allergique.
🇺🇸 EN — I have an allergic reaction.
🇫🇷 FR — J’ai des maux de tête.
🇺🇸 EN — I have headaches.
🇫🇷 FR — J’ai mal au dos depuis trois jours.
🇺🇸 EN — I have had back pain for three days.
3) Ask for advice (A2)
🇫🇷 FR — Que me conseillez-vous pour la gorge irritée ?
🇺🇸 EN — What do you recommend for an irritated throat?
🇫🇷 FR — Existe-t-il un sirop sans sucre ?
🇺🇸 EN — Is there a sugar-free syrup?
🇫🇷 FR — Avez-vous une pommade anti-inflammatoire ?
🇺🇸 EN — Do you have an anti-inflammatory cream?
🇫🇷 FR — Je préfère une option naturelle, si possible.
🇺🇸 EN — I prefer a natural option, if possible.
4) Confirm dosage & warnings (A2→B1)
Always repeat dosage and frequency to avoid mistakes. If anything is unclear, ask the pharmacist to write the instructions down for you.
🇫🇷 FR — Quelle est la dose et la fréquence, s’il vous plaît ?
🇺🇸 EN — What are the dose and frequency, please?
🇫🇷 FR — Y a-t-il des effets secondaires ?
🇺🇸 EN — Are there any side effects?
🇫🇷 FR — Puis-je le prendre avec mon traitement habituel ?
🇺🇸 EN — Can I take it with my usual medication?
🇫🇷 FR — À jeun ou avec de la nourriture ?
🇺🇸 EN — On an empty stomach or with food?
5) Practical purchases (OTC)
🇫🇷 FR — Des pastilles pour la gorge, s’il vous plaît.
🇺🇸 EN — Lozenges for a sore throat, please.
🇫🇷 FR — Un spray nasal décongestionnant.
🇺🇸 EN — A decongestant nasal spray.
🇫🇷 FR — Des pansements et une crème antiseptique.
🇺🇸 EN — Plasters and an antiseptic cream.
🇫🇷 FR — Un thermomètre électronique.
🇺🇸 EN — An electronic thermometer.
6) Payment & closing (A1)
🇫🇷 FR — Carte, s’il vous plaît.
🇺🇸 EN — Card, please.
🇫🇷 FR — Merci, bonne journée !
🇺🇸 EN — Thanks, have a nice day!
7) Emergencies & when to see a doctor (B1)
If symptoms are severe or getting worse, pharmacists can advise seeing a doctor or urgent care. Use clear, short lines to express urgency calmly.
🇫🇷 FR — C’est urgent, je respire mal.
🇺🇸 EN — It is urgent, I am having trouble breathing.
🇫🇷 FR — Pourriez-vous m’indiquer un médecin ou une clinique ?
🇺🇸 EN — Could you direct me to a doctor or a clinic?
8) Mini-dialogue (putting it together)
🇫🇷 FR — Bonjour. J’ai mal à la gorge et un peu de fièvre depuis deux jours.
🇺🇸 EN — Hello. I have a sore throat and a bit of fever for two days.
🇫🇷 FR — Que me conseillez-vous ? Je préfère un sirop sans sucre, si possible.
🇺🇸 EN — What do you recommend? I prefer a sugar-free syrup, if possible.
🇫🇷 FR — Quelle est la posologie ? Y a-t-il des effets secondaires ?
🇺🇸 EN — What is the dosage? Are there any side effects?
🇫🇷 FR — Carte, s’il vous plaît. Merci, bonne journée !
🇺🇸 EN — Card, please. Thanks, have a nice day!
9) Real-life situations you will face (A1→B1)
Weekend cold in Paris. You arrive on Friday and wake with a sore throat. Pharmacies open Saturday morning; some close at lunch. Ask for lozenges and a mild painkiller, then repeat the dosage to confirm understanding.
🇫🇷 FR — Bonjour, j’ai la gorge irritée et de la fatigue depuis ce matin.
🇺🇸 EN — Hello, I have an irritated throat and I feel tired since this morning.
🇫🇷 FR — Pourriez-vous me conseiller quelque chose de doux ?
🇺🇸 EN — Could you recommend something gentle?
After a hike in the Alps. Your ankle is swollen after a twist. Ask for a cold pack and an elastic bandage; check how long to rest and when to see a doctor if swelling increases.
🇫🇷 FR — Je me suis tordu la cheville en randonnée, elle est un peu gonflée.
🇺🇸 EN — I twisted my ankle while hiking; it is a bit swollen.
🇫🇷 FR — Auriez-vous une poche de froid et un bandage élastique ?
🇺🇸 EN — Do you have a cold pack and an elastic bandage?
Skin rash after new cosmetics. Be precise about timing and symptoms. Ask for a soothing cream and whether to avoid sun exposure.
🇫🇷 FR — J’ai une irritation après une nouvelle crème, depuis deux jours.
🇺🇸 EN — I have irritation after a new cream, for two days.
🇫🇷 FR — Faut-il éviter le soleil pendant le traitement ?
🇺🇸 EN — Should I avoid the sun during the treatment?
10) Useful service phrases (A2→B1)
Generic vs brand. In France you can ask for a generic (générique), often cheaper than a brand.
🇫🇷 FR — Avez-vous l’équivalent générique, s’il vous plaît ?
🇺🇸 EN — Do you have the generic equivalent, please?
Night and Sunday pharmacies. Look for a pharmacie de garde if you need help outside normal hours.
🇫🇷 FR — Où se trouve la pharmacie de garde la plus proche ?
🇺🇸 EN — Where is the nearest on-call pharmacy?
Understanding packaging. Boxes show grams (g), milligrams (mg), and millilitres (ml). Confirm how to measure liquid medicine.
🇫🇷 FR — Comment mesurer 5 ml sans cuillère doseuse ?
🇺🇸 EN — How do I measure 5 ml without a dosing spoon?
Recycling medicines. Return unused or expired medicines to a pharmacy for safe disposal.
🇫🇷 FR — Puis-je rapporter des médicaments périmés ici ?
🇺🇸 EN — Can I bring expired medicines back here?
11) For children and older adults (A1→B1)
Age often affects dosage or product choice. Keep the information clear and short.
🇫🇷 FR — C’est pour un enfant de six ans.
🇺🇸 EN — It is for a six-year-old child.
🇫🇷 FR — La personne est âgée et prend déjà des médicaments.
🇺🇸 EN — The person is elderly and already takes medication.
🇫🇷 FR — La dose est-elle différente pour les enfants ?
🇺🇸 EN — Is the dose different for children?
Pronunciation keys
- Nasal vowels: In pain /pɛ̃/ and vin /vɛ̃/, keep airflow through the nose.
- French R: Light throat friction—short, not rolled.
- Rhythm: Even syllables; avoid strong English stress.
- Liaison: Hear links like vous‿avez /vu.zave/ and c’est‿urgent /sɛ.tyʁʒɑ̃/.
Study glossary (FR → IPA → EN)
| FR | IPA | EN |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacie | /faʁmasi/ | Pharmacy |
| Sans ordonnance | /sɑ̃ ɔʁdɔnɑ̃s/ | Over the counter |
| Ordonnance | /ɔʁdɔnɑ̃s/ | Prescription |
| Posologie | /pozɔlɔʒi/ | Dosage |
| Effets secondaires | /efɛ səkɔ̃dɛʁ/ | Side effects |
| Antalgique | /ɑ̃talʒik/ | Painkiller |
| Anti-inflammatoire | /ɑ̃ti ɛ̃flamwatwaʁ/ | Anti-inflammatory |
| Décongestionnant | /dekɔ̃ʒɛstjɔnɑ̃/ | Decongestant |
| Pansement | /pɑ̃smɑ̃/ | Plaster/bandage |
| Thermomètre | /tɛʁmɔmɛtʁ/ | Thermometer |
| Allergie | /alɛʁʒi/ | Allergy |
| Fièvre | /fjɛvʁ/ | Fever |
| Gorge irritée | /gɔʁʒ iʁite/ | Sore throat |
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