Traditional Chinese - Pharmacy Questions

這個要吃多久

Zhège yào chī duōjiǔ?

How long should I take this?

Meaning: 這個要吃多久？ (Zhège yào chī duōjiǔ?) means “How long should I take this?”

When to use: Use it to ask the total length of treatment. For medicine you do not eat or swallow, you can ask 這個要用多久？ (Zhège yào yòng duōjiǔ?) instead.

Tip: Do not use 多久 (duōjiǔ) for the next dose time. Use it for “how long” overall.

下一次什麼時候吃？

Xià yī cì shénme shíhòu chī?

When should I take the next dose?

Meaning: 下一次什麼時候吃？ (Xià yī cì shénme shíhòu chī?) means “When should I take the next dose?”

When to use: Use it after you have already taken medicine, or when you need the exact time for the next dose.

這個會讓我想睡嗎？

Zhège huì ràng wǒ xiǎng shuì ma?

Can this make me sleepy?

Meaning: 這個會讓我想睡嗎？ (Zhège huì ràng wǒ xiǎng shuì ma?) means “Can this make me sleepy?”

When to use: Use it when you need to know if a medicine may cause drowsiness, especially before driving, working, or studying.

Tip: 想睡 (xiǎng shuì) means “sleepy,” not necessarily “I want to go to bed right now.”

可以跟我說明一下用法嗎？

Kěyǐ gēn wǒ shuōmíng yíxià yòngfǎ ma?

Can you explain the instructions?

Meaning: 可以跟我說明一下用法嗎？ (Kěyǐ gēn wǒ shuōmíng yíxià yòngfǎ ma?) means “Can you explain the instructions?”

When to use: Use this polite question when you want the pharmacist to explain how to take or use the medicine.

我是來領處方藥的。

Wǒ shì lái lǐng chǔfāngyào de.

I'm here to pick up a prescription.

Meaning: 我是來領處方藥的。 (Wǒ shì lái lǐng chǔfāngyào de.) means “I’m here to pick up a prescription.”

When to use: Say this at a pharmacy or hospital pharmacy when you are there to receive medicine already prescribed by a doctor.

Tip: 處方藥 (chǔfāngyào) means prescription medicine, not regular over-the-counter medicine.

這個藥可以續拿嗎？

Zhège yào kěyǐ xù ná ma?

Can I get a refill of this medicine?

Meaning: 這個藥可以續拿嗎？ (Zhège yào kěyǐ xù ná ma?) means “Can I get a refill of this medicine?”

When to use: Use it to ask whether you can get more of a regular medicine. In Taiwan, for chronic prescriptions, you may also hear 可以續領嗎？ (Kěyǐ xù lǐng ma?).

我漏吃了一次

Wǒ lòu chī le yí cì.

I missed a dose.

Meaning: 我漏吃了一次。 (Wǒ lòu chī le yí cì.) means “I missed a dose.”

When to use: Use it to tell a pharmacist or medical staff that you did not take one dose on time.

如果我忘記吃一次藥，該怎麼辦？

Rúguǒ wǒ wàngjì chī yí cì yào, gāi zěnme bàn?

What should I do if I miss a dose?

Meaning: 如果我忘記吃一次藥，該怎麼辦？ (Rúguǒ wǒ wàngjì chī yí cì yào, gāi zěnme bàn?) means “What should I do if I miss a dose?”

When to use: Use it to ask a pharmacist what to do after forgetting to take medicine one time.

這個藥該怎麼保存？

Zhège yào gāi zěnme bǎocún?

How should I store this medicine?

Meaning: 這個藥該怎麼保存？ (Zhège yào gāi zěnme bǎocún?) means “How should I store this medicine?”

When to use: Use it to ask whether medicine should be kept at room temperature, in the fridge, away from sunlight, or somewhere else.