Welcome to Lesson 117 — a short, friendly practice set for real-life pharmacy visits. In this lesson you'll listen, notice patterns, then say the phrases out loud so they stick.
Level A2: In this CEFR-aligned lesson you will practice common phrases for talking with a pharmacist: asking how long to take medicine, when to take the next dose, side effects like drowsiness, how to store medicine, what to do after a missed dose, and asking for refills or instructions. This lesson focuses on practical questions you can use at the pharmacy counter.
After this lesson you'll be able to:
Ask how long to take a medicine and when to take the next dose.
Ask about side effects (drowsiness), storage, missed doses, and refills.
Practice listening, choosing the right phrase, and saying each phrase aloud (Level A2).
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 dois prendre ça pendant combien de temps ?
How long should I take this?
Meaning: How long should I take this?
When to use: Use this polite question when you want to know the total duration of a prescribed treatment.
Le médecin m'a dit de prendre ces comprimés. Je dois prendre ça pendant combien de temps ?
How long should I take this?
Avant de commencer, je demande : Je dois prendre ça pendant combien de temps ?
Before starting, I ask: How long should I take this?
Je prends la prochaine dose quand ?
When should I take the next dose?
Meaning: When should I take the next dose?
When to use: Use this neutral, conversational question when you need a clear time for the next dose (e.g., after a missed dose or for irregular schedules).
Tip: Sometimes learners say 'la prochaine' without context — include a time reference or mention the last dose for clarity.
J'ai pris mon comprimé à 10h. Je prends la prochaine dose quand ?
I took my pill at 10. When should I take the next dose?
Si je dois prendre le médicament toutes les six heures, je prends la prochaine dose quand ?
If I should take it every six hours, when should I take the next dose?
Ça peut me donner envie de dormir ?
Can this make me sleepy?
Meaning: Can this make me sleepy?
When to use: Ask this polite question to find out whether drowsiness is a possible side effect of the medicine.
Tip: Avoid literal 'rendre somnolent' confusion — this phrase is a natural spoken option.
Avant de conduire, je demande : Ça peut me donner envie de dormir ?
Before driving I ask: Can this make me sleepy?
Mon travail est actif; est-ce que ce médicament peut me donner envie de dormir ?
My job is active; can this medicine make me sleepy?
Vous pouvez m'expliquer comment le prendre ?
Can you explain the instructions?
Meaning: Can you explain the instructions?
When to use: Use this polite form with 'vous' when you want the pharmacist to clarify how to take the medicine.
Vous pouvez m'expliquer comment le prendre ? Je ne suis pas sûr des heures.
Can you explain how to take it? I'm not sure about the times.
Sur la boîte, ce n'est pas clair. Vous pouvez m'expliquer comment le prendre ?
On the box it's unclear. Can you explain how to take it?
Je viens chercher des médicaments sur ordonnance.
I'm here to pick up a prescription.
Meaning: I'm here to pick up a prescription.
When to use: Say this at the counter when you arrive and want to collect prescribed medication.
Bonjour, je viens chercher des médicaments sur ordonnance au nom de Martin.
Hello, I'm here to pick up a prescription in Martin's name.
Je viens chercher des médicaments sur ordonnance ; le docteur les a envoyés aujourd'hui.
I'm here to pick up a prescription; the doctor sent it today.
Je peux avoir un renouvellement de ce médicament ?
Can I get a refill of this medicine?
Meaning: Can I get a refill of this medicine?
When to use: Use this polite question when you need more of a medicine you already take regularly.
Tip: In France the pharmacist may need the original ordonnance — asking 'Est-ce que je peux…?' sounds slightly more formal but is optional.
Ma boîte est presque vide. Je peux avoir un renouvellement de ce médicament ?
My box is almost empty. Can I get a refill of this medicine?
Mon traitement continue. Je peux avoir un renouvellement de ce médicament ?
My treatment continues. Can I get a refill of this medicine?
J'ai oublié une dose.
I missed a dose.
Meaning: I missed a dose.
When to use: Use this neutral statement to tell the pharmacist or doctor that you did not take a scheduled dose.
J'ai oublié une dose hier soir et je veux savoir quoi faire.
I missed a dose last night and want to know what to do.
Je viens d'ouvrir la boîte et je réalise : J'ai oublié une dose.
I just opened the box and realize: I missed a dose.
Qu'est-ce que je dois faire si j'oublie une dose ?
What should I do if I miss a dose?
Meaning: What should I do if I miss a dose?
When to use: Ask this neutral question to learn the correct action after missing a dose (skip, double, or take it now).
Qu'est-ce que je dois faire si j'oublie une dose ? Dois-je la rattraper ?
What should I do if I miss a dose? Should I catch up?
Qu'est-ce que je dois faire si j'oublie une dose ? Ça change le traitement ?
What should I do if I miss a dose? Does it change the treatment?
Comment je dois conserver ce médicament ?
How should I store this medicine?
Meaning: How should I store this medicine?
When to use: Ask this neutral question when you need storage instructions (room temperature, fridge, keep dry, etc.).
Comment je dois conserver ce médicament ? À température ambiante ?
How should I store this medicine? At room temperature?
Il faut le garder au frais ? Comment je dois conserver ce médicament ?
Does it need to be kept cool? How should I store this medicine?
2. Conversational Listening Practice
Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.
At the pharmacy counter, David picks up a prescription and asks questions about dose timing and drowsiness.
Why did David come to the pharmacy?
David
Bonjour, je viens chercher des médicaments sur ordonnance.
Hello, I'm here to pick up a prescription.
Anna
D'accord. Voilà votre boîte. Vous voulez que je vous explique l'usage ?
Okay. Here's your box. Would you like me to explain how to use it?
