Bonjour! Ready for a short, practical lesson at the pharmacie? We'll practice polite questions and short replies you can use when buying medicine in France.
Level A2: In this lesson you'll learn useful pharmacy phrases for asking what you need, checking prescriptions and dosages, and talking about side effects. This CEFR-aligned pack focuses on polite frames like "Je voudrais quelque chose pour ___" and practical follow-ups such as "Est-ce qu'il faut une ordonnance ?" — perfect for short pharmacy chats. Lesson 116 keeps it quick and friendly.
After this lesson you'll be able to:
Be able to ask for medicine for a specific symptom (A2).
Ask whether a prescription is required and how to take a medicine.
Understand and use polite pharmacy questions and short answers.
Ready? Let's go!
When you tap play on phrases, we track your progress through this lesson.
1. Reading + Listening Practice
Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.
Je voudrais quelque chose pour ___.
I need something for ___.
Meaning: I need something for ___.
When to use: Use this polite frame when asking the pharmacist for a remedy for a specific problem (la toux, le mal de tête, une allergie, etc.).
Je voudrais quelque chose pour la toux, s'il vous plaît.
I would like something for a cough, please.
Je voudrais quelque chose pour le mal de tête ce matin.
I need something for my headache this morning.
Vous avez quelque chose pour ___ ?
Do you have anything for ___?
Meaning: Do you have anything for ___?
When to use: Ask this to check whether the pharmacy stocks a remedy for a symptom or problem; use "vous" for politeness.
Vous avez quelque chose pour les allergies saisonnières ?
Do you have anything for seasonal allergies?
Vous avez quelque chose pour la fièvre chez l'enfant ?
Do you have anything for a child's fever?
J'ai ___.
I have a ___.
Meaning: I have a ___.
When to use: Use this short, neutral sentence to describe a symptom simply: un rhume, une toux, mal à la gorge, de la fièvre.
J'ai mal à la gorge depuis deux jours.
I have a sore throat for two days.
J'ai de la fièvre et des frissons.
I have a fever and chills.
Est-ce qu'il faut une ordonnance ?
Do I need a prescription?
Meaning: Do I need a prescription?
When to use: Ask this politely to know whether the medicine requires a doctor's prescription (ordonnance).
Tip: Don't confuse « ordonnance » with a written label; it means a doctor's prescription.
Est-ce qu'il faut une ordonnance pour ce médicament ?
Do I need a prescription for this medicine?
Est-ce qu'il faut une ordonnance si je veux une boîte plus grande ?
Do I need a prescription if I want a larger box?
Je dois le prendre à quelle fréquence ?
How often should I take it?
Meaning: How often should I take it?
When to use: Use this to ask the pharmacist about dosage frequency for a medicine (le/la depending on the item).
Je dois le prendre à quelle fréquence pour soulager la douleur ?
How often should I take it to relieve pain?
Je dois la prendre à quelle fréquence si c'est une gélule ?
How often should I take it if it's a capsule?
Je dois en prendre combien ?
How many should I take?
Meaning: How many should I take?
When to use: Use this polite question to ask the pharmacist the number of tablets, capsules, or doses you should take.
Tip: Learners sometimes say "combien de" — use "combien" with "en" here: "Je dois en prendre combien ?"
Je dois en prendre combien le soir ?
How many should I take in the evening?
Je dois en prendre combien à chaque dose ?
How many should I take at each dose?
Je dois le prendre pendant le repas ?
Should I take it with food?
Meaning: Should I take it with food?
When to use: Ask whether to take the medicine during a meal (pendant le repas) or on an empty stomach.
Je dois le prendre pendant le repas ou avant ?
Should I take it during a meal or before?
Je dois la prendre pendant le repas pour éviter les maux d'estomac ?
Should I take it with food to avoid stomach upset?
Il y a des effets secondaires ?
Are there any side effects?
Meaning: Are there any side effects?
When to use: Use this polite question to ask about possible adverse reactions or side effects of a medicine.
Il y a des effets secondaires connus avec ce traitement ?
Are there known side effects with this treatment?
Il y a des effets secondaires si je prends ce médicament tous les jours ?
Are there side effects if I take this every day?
Je peux prendre ça avec ___ ?
Can I take this with ___?
Meaning: Can I take this with ___?
When to use: Ask whether the new medicine is safe to take together with another medicine or treatment (use "ça" for informal reference).
Je peux prendre ça avec mon médicament pour le cœur ?
Can I take this with my heart medicine?
Je peux prendre ça avec des anti-inflammatoires ?
Can I take this with anti-inflammatories?
C'est disponible sans ordonnance ?
Is this available without a prescription?
Meaning: Is this available without a prescription?
When to use: Ask whether the product can be bought "sans ordonnance" (over the counter) or needs a doctor's prescription.
Tip: Some learners say "sans ordonnance ?" alone; it's fine, but adding context helps: "C'est disponible sans ordonnance ?"
C'est disponible sans ordonnance ou faut-il un rendez-vous ?
Is this available without a prescription or do I need an appointment?
C'est disponible sans ordonnance pour les adultes ?
Is this available without a prescription for adults?
Est-ce qu'il y a un générique ?
Is there a generic version?
Meaning: Is there a generic version?
When to use: Use this to ask if a cheaper generic (un générique) is available instead of a brand name.
Est-ce qu'il y a un générique pour ce sirop ?
Is there a generic for this syrup?
Est-ce qu'il y a un générique moins cher ?
Is there a cheaper generic?
Je prends ___ tous les jours.
I take ___ every day.
Meaning: I take ___ every day.
When to use: Tell the pharmacist about a medicine you take regularly (for chronic conditions or daily supplements).
Je prends un antihypertenseur tous les jours.
I take a blood pressure medicine every day.
Je prends des vitamines tous les jours le matin.
I take vitamins every morning.
C'est sans risque pour ___ ?
Is this safe for ___?
Meaning: Is this safe for ___?
When to use: Ask if the medicine is safe for a specific person or group (children, pregnant women, elderly, etc.).
C'est sans risque pour les femmes enceintes ?
Is this safe for pregnant women?
C'est sans risque pour un enfant de six ans ?
Is this safe for a six-year-old?
2. Conversational Listening Practice
Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.
At the pharmacy counter
What are Anna and David talking about?
Anna
Bonjour, je voudrais quelque chose pour la toux.
Hello, I'd like something for a cough.
David
Vous avez quelque chose pour une toux sèche ?
Do you have anything for a dry cough?
Anna
J'ai une toux depuis trois jours. Est-ce qu'il faut une ordonnance ?
I have a cough for three days. Do I need a prescription?
David
Non, c'est disponible sans ordonnance. Il y a des effets secondaires ?
No, it's available without a prescription. Are there any side effects?
Anna
Je prends des vitamines tous les jours. Je peux prendre ça avec mes vitamines ?
I take vitamins every day. Can I take this with my vitamins?
David
Oui, c'est sans risque. Prenez-en deux fois par jour.
Yes, it's safe. Take it twice a day.
3. Guided Practice
Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.
Which French phrase asks whether a prescription is needed?
How do you ask 'Can I take this with my other medicine?' in French?
Which phrase asks about how often to take a medicine?
To ask 'Is this safe for pregnant women?' which phrase fits best?
You would say 'J'ai mal à la gorge.' to describe your symptom.
You have a sore throat. At the pharmacy you ask: ___.
Ask 'C'est disponible sans ordonnance ?' to check if no prescription is needed.
You want to know if you can buy the medicine without a doctor. Choose the correct question: ___.
Ask 'Je dois le prendre à quelle fréquence ?' to learn the dosing schedule.
You are given a pill and want to know how often to take it. Say: ___.
Match the core phrases
Match the extra phrases
4. Speaking Practice
Say phrases yourself (mic/recording).
Recording stays on your device only. Check speech uses your browser's speech tools when available.
