Pharmacy & Health

1. 頭痛薬はありますか

   zu-tsu-yaku wa a-ri-ma-su ka

   Do you have headache medicine?

   Usage

   Ask for headache medicine at a pharmacy in Japan

   Grammar Note

   "...wa arimasu ka" politely asks about availability, softer than simply requesting with "...kudasai"

2. 胃薬をください

   i-gu-su-ri wo ku-da-sa-i

   I need stomach medicine

   Usage

   Request stomach medicine at a Japanese pharmacy

   Grammar Note

   "...wo kudasai" is the standard polite request at pharmacies. "...ga hoshii no desu ga" is even softer

3. 下痢止めはありますか

   ge-ri-do-me wa a-ri-ma-su ka

   Do you have anti-diarrhea medicine?

   Usage

   Ask for anti-diarrhea medicine at a Japanese pharmacy

   Grammar Note

   "-dome" is a suffix meaning "stopper of..." Used in "seki-dome" (cough suppressant), "itami-dome" (painkiller)

4. 熱があります

   ne-tsu ga a-ri-ma-su

   I have a fever

   Usage

   Tell the pharmacist you have a fever in Japan

   Grammar Note

   "Netsu ga aru" is the standard expression for fever. Giving the temperature number is even clearer

5. アレルギーがあります

   a-re-ru-gī ga a-ri-ma-su

   I have an allergy

   Usage

   Inform the pharmacist about your allergy

   Grammar Note

   "...ni arerugii ga arimasu" = "I am allergic to...". For medicine allergy: "kusuri ni arerugii ga arimasu"

6. 絆創膏をください

   ban-sou-kou wo ku-da-sa-i

   I need bandages/plasters

   Usage

   Ask for bandages or plasters at a Japanese pharmacy

   Grammar Note

   "Bansoukou" is the formal term. "Band-aid" and "Kattoban" (brand name) are also commonly understood

7. 虫除けスプレーをください

   mu-shi-yo-ke su-pu-rē wo ku-da-sa-i

   I need insect repellent

   Usage

   Ask for insect repellent at a Japanese pharmacy

   Grammar Note

   "Mushiyoke" = insect repellent. The "-yoke" suffix means "protection against/ward off"

8. 日焼け止めをください

   hi-ya-ke-do-me wo ku-da-sa-i

   I need sunscreen

   Usage

   Ask for sunscreen at a Japanese pharmacy or drug store

   Grammar Note

   "Hiyakedome" = "sunburn stopper". SPF is read as "esupiiefuu" in Japanese

9. この薬の飲み方を教えてください

   ko-no ku-su-ri no no-mi-ka-ta wo o-shi-e-te ku-da-sa-i

   How do I take this medicine?

   Usage

   Ask the pharmacist for dosage instructions in Japan

   Grammar Note

   "...no nomikata wo oshiete kudasai" politely asks for dosage instructions. Pharmacists typically say "3 times daily after meals"

10. 処方箋は必要ですか

    sho-hou-sen wa hi-tsu-you de-su ka

    Do I need a prescription?

    Usage

    Check if a prescription is needed at a Japanese pharmacy

    Grammar Note

    Japan distinguishes between prescription medicines (shohousen required) and OTC (ippanyou iyakuhin). Most pharmacies stock both

11. 処方箋

    sho-hō-sen

    Prescription

    Usage

    The doctor-issued prescription; show it at the pharmacy counter

12. 薬局

    yak-kyo-ku

    Pharmacy

    Usage

    Use it to ask where a pharmacy is; the same word appears on shop signs

13. 体温計

    tai-on-kei

    Thermometer

    Usage

    Point at this to buy a thermometer at a drugstore

14. 包帯

    hō-tai

    Bandage

    Usage

    The roll-type bandage; for a small adhesive plaster use "bansōkō"

15. 消毒液

    shō-do-ku-e-ki

    Antiseptic / disinfectant

    Usage

    Wound disinfectant; the same wording appears on the product shelf

16. マスク

    ma-su-ku

    Face mask

    Usage

    A disposable hygiene mask; also sold at convenience stores

17. 生理用品

    sei-ri-yō-hin

    Sanitary products

    Usage

    The umbrella term used to ask where sanitary pads are; shelves say "seiriyō napukin"

18. コンドーム

    kon-dō-mu

    Condom

    Usage

    Point at this to ask where condoms are in a drugstore or convenience store

19. 目薬

    me-gu-su-ri

    Eye drops

    Usage

    Eye drops; the same word is used on drugstore shelves

20. 湿布

    ship-pu

    Medicated patch (compress)

    Usage

    The stick-on pain patch for shoulders or back — a staple item in Japanese pharmacies

21. 解熱剤

    ge-ne-tsu-za-i

    Fever reducer

    Usage

    Medicine to bring a fever down; often the same product as a painkiller

22. 便秘薬をください

    ben-pi-yaku wo ku-da-sa-i

    A laxative, please

    Usage

    Ask for constipation medicine at a pharmacy; if the pharmacist asks about symptoms, say "便秘です"

    Grammar Note

    "…wo kudasai" is the standard polite way to ask for something; swap in other medicines, e.g. "頭痛薬をください"

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