For a cold or a headache, many people start at the pharmacy. Learn to ask for something for a complaint, whether you need a prescription, and how to take it.

Your turn

What is this person asking for?

Necesito algo para la tos.

The main idea

Necesito algo para el dolor de cabeza.
I need something for a headache.
¿Tiene algo para la tos?
Do you have anything for a cough?
¿Necesito receta?
Do I need a prescription?
No, no necesita receta.
No, you don't need a prescription.
¿Cuántas veces al día?
How many times a day?
¿Antes o después de comer?
Before or after meals?

me duele la cabeza says your head hurts; el dolor de cabeza is the headache itself, the thing you need something for.

la pastilla
pill, tablet
el jarabe
syrup
la cucharada
spoonful
la receta
prescription
tres veces al día
three times a day
cada ocho horas
every eight hours
antes de comer
before meals
después de comer
after meals

At the counter

Ben still has a cough, so he goes to a pharmacy. What the pharmacist says is about this syrup only; with any medicine, follow its own label.

Ben: Buenas tardes. ¿Tiene algo para la tos?
Good afternoon. Do you have anything for a cough?
Farmacéutica: Sí, tenemos este jarabe.
Yes, we have this syrup.
Ben: ¿Necesito receta?
Do I need a prescription?
Farmacéutica: No, no necesita receta.
No, you don't need a prescription.
Ben: ¿Cuántas veces al día?
How many times a day?
Farmacéutica: Una cucharada cada ocho horas, después de comer.
One spoonful every eight hours, after meals.
Ben: Muy bien, gracias.
OK, thanks.
Farmacéutica: De nada. ¡Que se mejore!
You're welcome. Get well soon!

¡Que se mejore! wishes someone you call usted a quick recovery; to a friend, say ¡Que te mejores!

Quick check

Your turn

Ask for something for a cough:

¿Tiene algo la tos?
Your turn

The pharmacist says Para este necesita receta. What do you need for it?

Your turn

The label says cada ocho horas. How many times a day is that?

Your turn

A friend is sick. What do you say?

Putting it all together

A week of errands in Mexico City. Answer each turn.

Your turn

You want to go to the bank tomorrow morning. Ask an employee what time they open.

Your turn

Call a doctor's office and ask for an appointment on Thursday.

Your turn

The doctor asks ¿Qué le pasa? Your head hurts, and you have had a fever since yesterday.

Your turn

At the pharmacy, ask for something for a headache and whether you need a prescription.

Take with you

Necesito algo para el dolor de cabeza.
I need something for a headache.
¿Tiene algo para la tos?
Do you have anything for a cough?
¿Necesito receta?
Do I need a prescription?
¿Cuántas veces al día?
How many times a day?
¿Antes o después de comer?
Before or after meals?
¡Que se mejore!
Get well soon!
¡Que te mejores!
Get well soon!

algo para and the complaint gets you started at any pharmacy.