chemist travel
In this class, you’ll learn some useful words to use at the pharmacy.
If you travel abroad to an English-speaking country, you might need to go to a pharmacy. Here are some useful words for you to learn.
Plaster
A “plaster” is also known as a “band-aid”, “elastoplast” and “sticking plaster”.
“I need a plaster because I cut my finger.”
“I need a plaster because I cut my finger.”
Pills
“Pills” can come in packets or bottles. Some pills can only be sold if you have a prescription.
“I can only give you these pills if you’ve got a prescription from your GP.”
“I can only give you these pills if you’ve got a prescription from your GP.”
Antiseptic cream
“Antiseptic cream” is a type of cream you can put onto a cut or wound to kill the germs or bacteria.
“You should rub the antiseptic cream on the cut.”
“You should rub the antiseptic cream on the cut.”
Cough medicine
“Cough medicine” is a type of medicine you can take if you have a cough (an illness in which your chest or throat hurts).
“You should take some cough medicine for that cough.”
“You should take some cough medicine for that cough.”
Antibiotics
“Antibiotics” are medical drugs that kill bacteria.
“She had to take a course of antibiotics for 30 days to cure the infection.
“She had to take a course of antibiotics for 30 days to cure the infection.
A Pharmacist
A “pharmacist” is someone whose job is to prepare and sell medicine. Also known as a “chemist” in British English.
“She trained to be a pharmacist in the United States.”
“She trained to be a pharmacist in the United States.”
A “thermometer”
A “thermometer” is an instrument to measure your temperature.
“According to the thermometer, I have got a temperature.”
“According to the thermometer, I have got a temperature.”
Dialogue
You’re going to listen to a dialogue at the pharmacy. Listen and select the items Jane is looking for.
• Mosquito repellent
• Antiseptic cream
• Vitamins
• A packet of pills
• Cough medicine
• Thermometer
• Antibiotics
• Mosquito repellent
• Antiseptic cream
• Vitamins
• A packet of pills
• Cough medicine
• Thermometer
• Antibiotics
Now read and listen to the dialogue at the same time.
Chemist: Can I help you?
Jane: Yes, I was looking for some antiseptic cream.
C: You’ll find some in the next aisle – the one parallel to this one.
J: OK. Great. Another thing, have you got anything for an upset tummy?
C: Yes, these work quite well. [The chemist shows Jane a packet of pills.]
J: OK. I’ll take a packet of those then. And have you got any cough medicine?
C: Yes, you’ll find that next to the toothpaste – just over there.
J: OK. Thanks very much. And finally, I was just wondering if it’s possible to get any antibiotics. I’ve got a bit of a chest infection.
C: Not without a prescription. You’ll have to speak to your GP about that.
J: OK. Thanks for your help.
Jane: Yes, I was looking for some antiseptic cream.
C: You’ll find some in the next aisle – the one parallel to this one.
J: OK. Great. Another thing, have you got anything for an upset tummy?
C: Yes, these work quite well. [The chemist shows Jane a packet of pills.]
J: OK. I’ll take a packet of those then. And have you got any cough medicine?
C: Yes, you’ll find that next to the toothpaste – just over there.
J: OK. Thanks very much. And finally, I was just wondering if it’s possible to get any antibiotics. I’ve got a bit of a chest infection.
C: Not without a prescription. You’ll have to speak to your GP about that.
J: OK. Thanks for your help.