Welcome! In this short lesson we'll practice practical Spanish for the pharmacy. You'll hear useful questions and learn to ask about doses, storage, side effects, and refills.
Level A2: This lesson helps you handle common situations at the pharmacy (Lesson 117). You'll practice asking how long to take medicine, when the next dose is, if a drug causes sleepiness, how to store meds, and how to request refills. The phrases are CEFR-aligned and ready for real conversations.
After this lesson you'll be able to:
Ask how long to take medicine and when to take the next dose.
Talk about missed doses, side effects (sleepiness), and how to store medicine.
Request a prescription pick-up or refill and ask the pharmacist to explain instructions.
Build confidence using several polite and neutral pharmacy phrases (A2 level).
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.
¿Por cuánto tiempo debo tomarlo?
How long should I take this?
Meaning: How long should I take this?
When to use: Ask when you need to know the total length of a medicine course or treatment.
Tip: If the medicine is a 'pastilla' some learners might say 'tomarla' — that's fine; match gender correctly when needed.
¿Por cuánto tiempo debo tomarlo si es para la infección?
How long should I take it if it's for the infection?
El doctor me recetó esto; quiero preguntar: ¿Por cuánto tiempo debo tomarlo?
The doctor prescribed this; I want to ask: How long should I take it?
¿Cuándo me toca la siguiente dosis?
When should I take the next dose?
Meaning: When should I take the next dose?
When to use: Ask this when you want to know the timing for the following dose (e.g., morning/afternoon/every 8 hours).
Tomé la pastilla a las ocho; ¿Cuándo me toca la siguiente dosis?
I took the pill at eight; when should I take the next dose?
El farmacéutico me dijo que llame si no estoy seguro de la hora: ¿Cuándo me toca la siguiente dosis?
The pharmacist said call if unsure: When should I take the next dose?
¿Esto me puede dar sueño?
Can this make me sleepy?
Meaning: Can this make me sleepy?
When to use: Use this to ask about drowsiness as a possible side effect of a medicine.
Antes de manejar pregunto: ¿Esto me puede dar sueño?
Before driving I ask: Can this make me sleepy?
Me preocupa trabajar después; ¿esto me puede dar sueño?
I worry about working afterwards; can this make me sleepy?
¿Me puedes explicar las instrucciones?
Can you explain the instructions?
Meaning: Can you explain the instructions?
When to use: Ask the pharmacist to clarify how to take the medication (dosage, timing, food interactions).
Tip: In formal settings some learners might prefer '¿Me puede explicar...?' — both are polite; choose based on who you're talking to.
¿Me puedes explicar las instrucciones para tomar estas cápsulas?
Can you explain the instructions for taking these capsules?
No entendí la etiqueta; ¿me puedes explicar las instrucciones otra vez?
I didn't understand the label; can you explain the instructions again?
Vengo a recoger una receta.
I'm here to pick up a prescription.
Meaning: I'm here to pick up a prescription.
When to use: Say this when you arrive at the pharmacy to collect medicine prescribed by a doctor.
Hola, vengo a recoger una receta a nombre de Ana.
Hi, I'm here to pick up a prescription in Ana's name.
Vengo a recoger una receta que mi doctor envió ayer.
I'm here to pick up a prescription my doctor sent yesterday.
¿Me pueden surtir de nuevo este medicamento?
Can I get a refill of this medicine?
Meaning: Can I get a refill of this medicine?
When to use: Ask this when you need another supply of a medicine you take regularly.
Tip: Some learners say 'refill' in English or use 'reponer' — 'surtir de nuevo' is common in pharmacy contexts; local terms vary.
Mi tratamiento continúa; ¿Me pueden surtir de nuevo este medicamento?
My treatment continues; can I get a refill of this medicine?
Se me acabó la caja, ¿me pueden surtir de nuevo este medicamento hoy?
I ran out of the box; can I get a refill of this medicine today?
Se me pasó una dosis.
I missed a dose.
Meaning: I missed a dose.
When to use: Use this to report to a pharmacist or doctor that you did not take a scheduled dose.
Se me pasó una dosis ayer por la noche.
I missed a dose last night.
Se me pasó una dosis y no sé si tomarla ahora.
I missed a dose and I don't know if I should take it now.
¿Qué hago si se me pasa una dosis?
What should I do if I miss a dose?
Meaning: What should I do if I miss a dose?
When to use: Ask this to learn the correct action after missing a medication dose.
Se me pasó una dosis; ¿Qué hago si se me pasa una dosis?
I missed a dose; what should I do if I miss a dose?
No quiero equivocarme otra vez, ¿Qué hago si se me pasa una dosis?
I don't want to make the same mistake, what should I do if I miss a dose?
¿Cómo debo guardar este medicamento?
How should I store this medicine?
Meaning: How should I store this medicine?
When to use: Ask about correct storage (temperature, light, refrigeration) for your medication.
En la caja hay símbolos que no entiendo; ¿Cómo debo guardar este medicamento?
There are symbols on the box I don't understand; how should I store this medicine?
¿Cómo debo guardar este medicamento, en la nevera o a temperatura ambiente?
How should I store this medicine, in the fridge or at room temperature?
2. Conversational Listening Practice
Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.
At the pharmacy counter
Why did Anna come to the pharmacy?
Anna
Vengo a recoger una receta.
I'm here to pick up a prescription.
David
Claro. ¿Me puedes explicar las instrucciones?
Sure. Can you explain the instructions to me?
Anna
¿Por cuánto tiempo debo tomarlo?
How long should I take this?
David
Por siete días. ¿Cuándo me toca la siguiente dosis?
For seven days. When should you take the next dose?
Anna
¿Esto me puede dar sueño?
Can this make me sleepy?
3. Guided Practice
Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.
Which Spanish phrase asks 'Can this make me sleepy?'
Which phrase means 'I'm here to pick up a prescription.'?
Which phrase asks 'When should I take the next dose?'
Which phrase asks about proper storage of medicine?
I have doubts about the treatment length. At the pharmacy I ask: 'How long should I take this?'
Tengo dudas sobre la duración del tratamiento. En la farmacia pregunto: '___'.
I forgot to take the pill at night. At the pharmacy I ask: 'What should I do if I miss a dose?'
Olvidé tomar la pastilla de la noche. En la farmacia pregunto: '___'.
I'm going to drive after work and want to know about drowsiness: 'Can this make me sleepy?'
Voy a manejar después del trabajo y quiero saber sobre somnolencia: '___'.
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.
