Japanese - Pharmacy

Lesson 117 of 168

A friendly Japanese pharmacy counter with a pharmacist handing medicine; focus on Japanese phrases for pharmacy visits.

Goal: Asking about doses, storage, refills, and missed medicine

Free Japanese lessons with guided practice, audio, and speaking support.

Welcome! In this short A2 lesson you'll practice real phrases for talking to a pharmacist. Listen, repeat, and try the mini-dialogue — then check your understanding with quick quizzes.

Level A2: Lesson 117 — a compact, practical pack for visits to the pharmacy. You will practice polite, everyday questions like asking how long to take a medicine, when to take the next dose, whether a drug causes drowsiness, how to store it, getting a prescription, and what to do if you miss a dose. This CEFR-aligned lesson focuses on listening, repeating, and speaking aloud.

After this lesson you'll be able to:

  • Ask how long to take a medicine and when the next dose is.
  • Ask about drowsiness, storage, and how to take the medicine (A2 level).
  • Say you are picking up a prescription and ask about refills and missed doses.
A person arriving at a Japanese pharmacy to pick up a prescription and ask about how to take the medicine.

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.

これはどのくらいの期間飲めばいいですか？

Kore wa dono kurai no kikan nomeba ii desu ka?

How long should I take this?

Meaning: How long should I take this?

When to use: Use this polite question to ask about the total length of a treatment for oral medicines (e.g., antibiotics).

Tip: Confusing '飲めばいいですか' with '使えばいいですか' — use 使えばいいですか for creams or patches.

この抗生物質は、これはどのくらいの期間飲めばいいですか？

Kono kōseibusshitsu wa, kore wa dono kurai no kikan nomeba ii desu ka?

How long should I take this antibiotic?
風邪薬は通常どのくらいの期間飲めばいいですか？

Kazegusuri wa tsūjō dono kurai no kikan nomeba ii desu ka?

How long do you normally take cold medicine?

次はいつ飲めばいいですか？

Tsugi wa itsu nomeba ii desu ka?

When should I take the next dose?

Meaning: When should I take the next dose?

When to use: Ask this when you have already taken a dose and need to know the timing for the next one.

今朝一錠飲みました。次はいつ飲めばいいですか？

Kesa ichijō nomimashita. Tsugi wa itsu nomeba ii desu ka?

I took one tablet this morning. When should I take the next dose?
夜と朝の２回と書いてありますが、次はいつ飲めばいいですか？

Yoru to asa no ni-kai to kaite arimasu ga, tsugi wa itsu nomeba ii desu ka?

It says twice a day (night and morning); when should I take the next dose?

これを飲むと眠くなることがありますか？

Kore o nomu to nemuku naru koto ga arimasu ka?

Can this make me sleepy?

Meaning: Can this make me sleepy?

When to use: Use for pills or liquid medicine when you want to know whether drowsiness is a possible side effect.

Tip: For creams or topical products say これを使うと… instead of これを飲むと…

このアレルギー薬を飲むと眠くなることがありますか？

Kono arerugīyaku o nomu to nemuku naru koto ga arimasu ka?

Can this allergy medicine make me sleepy?
眠くなったら仕事に影響します。これを飲むと眠くなることがありますか？

Nemuku nattara shigoto ni eikyō shimasu. Kore o nomu to nemuku naru koto ga arimasu ka?

If I get sleepy it affects my work. Can this make me sleepy?

この薬の飲み方を説明してもらえますか？

Kono kusuri no nomikata o setsumei shite moraemasu ka?

Can you explain the instructions?

Meaning: Can you explain the instructions?

When to use: Ask the pharmacist to clarify how and when to take the medicine (or what the label means).

この薬の飲み方を説明してもらえますか？ 箱の指示がよくわかりません。

Kono kusuri no nomikata o setsumei shite moraemasu ka? Hako no shiji ga yoku wakarimasen.

Can you explain how to take this medicine? I don't understand the directions on the box.
子ども用の量が知りたいです。この薬の飲み方を説明してもらえますか？

Kodomo-yō no ryō ga shiritai desu. Kono kusuri no nomikata o setsumei shite moraemasu ka?

I want the children's dose. Can you explain how to take this medicine?

処方せんの薬を受け取りに来ました。

Shohōsen no kusuri o uketori ni kimashita.

I'm here to pick up a prescription.

Meaning: I'm here to pick up a prescription.

When to use: Say this politely when you arrive at the pharmacy to collect a medicine prescribed by your doctor.

こんにちは。処方せんの薬を受け取りに来ました。

Konnichiwa. Shohōsen no kusuri o uketori ni kimashita.

Hello. I'm here to pick up a prescription.
受付で名前を言ってから、処方せんの薬を受け取りに来ましたと伝えました。

Uketsuke de namae o itte kara, shohōsen no kusuri o uketori ni kimashita to tsutaemashita.

After giving my name at reception, I said I'm here to pick up a prescription.

この薬を追加でもらえますか？

Kono kusuri o tsuika de moraemasu ka?

Can I get a refill of this medicine?

Meaning: Can I get a refill of this medicine?

When to use: Use this polite request when you want more of a regular medicine; note that Japan often requires a new or valid prescription.

Tip: In Japan you may still need a new prescription; don't assume a refill is always possible.

いつも飲んでいる薬です。これを追加でもらえますか？

Itsumo nonde iru kusuri desu. Kono kusuri o tsuika de moraemasu ka?

This is the medicine I usually take. Can I get a refill of this?
処方せんがもうないのですが、これを追加でもらえますか？

Shohōsen ga mō nai no desu ga, kono kusuri o tsuika de moraemasu ka?

I don't have the prescription anymore — can I get a refill of this?

薬を飲み忘れました。

Kusuri o nomiwasuremashita.

I missed a dose.

Meaning: I missed a dose.

When to use: Use this to report to the pharmacist that you forgot to take a scheduled oral dose.

すみません、薬を飲み忘れました。どうすればいいですか？

Sumimasen, kusuri o nomiwasuremashita. Dō sureba ii desu ka?

Excuse me, I missed a dose. What should I do?
昨夜は忙しくて薬を飲み忘れました。薬を飲み忘れました。

Sakuya wa isogashikute kusuri o nomiwasuremashita. Kusuri o nomiwasuremashita.

I was busy last night and missed my medicine. I missed a dose.

薬を飲み忘れたら、どうすればいいですか。

Kusuri o nomiwasuretara, dō sureba ii desu ka.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

Meaning: What should I do if I miss a dose?

When to use: Ask this with a pharmacist or doctor when you want instructions after forgetting a dose.

薬を飲み忘れたら、どうすればいいですか。朝に忘れた場合はどうしますか？

Kusuri o nomiwasuretara, dō sureba ii desu ka. Asa ni wasureta baai wa dō shimasu ka?

What should I do if I miss a dose? What if I forgot in the morning?
治療は続けたいです。薬を飲み忘れたら、どうすればいいですかと薬剤師に尋ねました。

Chiryō wa tsuzuketai desu. Kusuri o nomiwasuretara, dō sureba ii desu ka to yakuzaishi ni tazunemashita.

I want to continue the treatment. I asked the pharmacist what to do if I miss a dose.

この薬はどう保管すればいいですか。

Kono kusuri wa dō hokan sureba ii desu ka.

How should I store this medicine?

Meaning: How should I store this medicine?

When to use: Ask this to learn proper storage (room temperature, refrigerator, keep away from light, etc.).

この薬はどう保管すればいいですか。冷蔵庫に入れますか？

Kono kusuri wa dō hokan sureba ii desu ka. Reizōko ni iremasu ka?

How should I store this medicine? Should I put it in the fridge?
子どもの手の届かない所に置きたいのですが、この薬はどう保管すればいいですか？

Kodomo no te no todokanai tokoro ni okitai no desu ga, kono kusuri wa dō hokan sureba ii desu ka?

I want to keep it out of children's reach — how should I store this medicine?

2. Conversational Listening Practice

Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.

Picking up a prescription and asking for instructions

Two people (customer and pharmacist) talking politely in Japanese about doses, refills, and storage of medicine.

Why did Anna come to the pharmacy?

Portrait of Anna in a Japanese lesson dialogue

Anna

こんにちは。処方せんの薬を受け取りに来ました。

Konnichiwa. Shohōsen no kusuri o uketori ni kimashita.

Hello. I'm here to pick up a prescription.

Portrait of David in a Japanese lesson dialogue

David

はい、確認します。こちらが薬です。飲み方を説明してもらえますか？

Hai, kakunin shimasu. Kochira ga kusuri desu. Nomikata o setsumei shite moraemasu ka?

Okay, I'll check. Here is the medicine. Can I explain how to take it for you?

Portrait of Anna in a Japanese lesson dialogue

Anna

お願いします。次はいつ飲めばいいですか？

Onegaishimasu. Tsugi wa itsu nomeba ii desu ka?

Please. When should I take the next dose?

Portrait of David in a Japanese lesson dialogue

David

６時間ごとに一錠です。あと、これを飲むと眠くなることがありますか？

Roku-jikan-goto ni ichijō desu. Ato, kore o nomu to nemuku naru koto ga arimasu ka?

One tablet every six hours. Also — can this make me sleepy?

Portrait of Anna in a Japanese lesson dialogue

Anna

あ、眠くなるなら運転は控えます。あと、薬を飲み忘れたら、どうすればいいですか。

A, nemuku naru nara unten wa hikaemasu. Ato, kusuri o nomiwasuretara, dō sureba ii desu ka.

If it makes me sleepy I'll avoid driving. Also — what should I do if I miss a dose?

Portrait of David in a Japanese lesson dialogue

David

時間が近ければ飲んで、遠ければ次の回まで待ってください。保管は直射日光を避けてください。

Jikan ga chikakereba nonde, tōkereba tsugi no kai made matte kudasai. Hokan wa chokushahikari o sakete kudasai.

If it's close to the time, take it; if not, wait until the next dose. Store it away from direct sunlight.

3. Guided Practice

Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.

Which phrase asks about the total length of time to take a medicine?

You forgot to take your medicine last night. Which phrase asks what to do next?

Which phrase would you say when you arrive to pick up a prescription?

If you want to know whether you should put medicine in the fridge, which phrase is correct?

I took one tablet this morning from the hospital. At the pharmacy I ask: When should I take the next dose?

朝、病院で出された薬を一錠飲みました。薬局で薬剤師に尋ねます：___

I forgot to take my medicine last night. I'm asking the pharmacist: What should I do if I miss a dose?

昨夜はうっかりして飲み忘れました。薬剤師に相談します：___

The box says 'avoid direct sunlight.' I want more details so I ask: How should I store this medicine?

箱に『直射日光を避ける』と書かれています。もっと詳しく聞きたいので：___

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.

Say this phrase out loud:

これはどのくらいの期間飲めばいいですか？

Kore wa dono kurai no kikan nomeba ii desu ka?

How long should I take this?

Say this phrase out loud:

次はいつ飲めばいいですか？

Tsugi wa itsu nomeba ii desu ka?

When should I take the next dose?

Say this phrase out loud:

これを飲むと眠くなることがありますか？

Kore o nomu to nemuku naru koto ga arimasu ka?

Can this make me sleepy?

Say this phrase out loud:

この薬の飲み方を説明してもらえますか？

Kono kusuri no nomikata o setsumei shite moraemasu ka?

Can you explain the instructions?

Say this phrase out loud:

処方せんの薬を受け取りに来ました。

Shohōsen no kusuri o uketori ni kimashita.

I'm here to pick up a prescription.

Say this phrase out loud:

この薬を追加でもらえますか？

Kono kusuri o tsuika de moraemasu ka?

Can I get a refill of this medicine?

Say this phrase out loud:

薬を飲み忘れました。

Kusuri o nomiwasuremashita.

I missed a dose.

Say this phrase out loud:

薬を飲み忘れたら、どうすればいいですか。

Kusuri o nomiwasuretara, dō sureba ii desu ka.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

Say this phrase out loud:

この薬はどう保管すればいいですか。

Kono kusuri wa dō hokan sureba ii desu ka.

How should I store this medicine?