Introduction
This article teaches 20 essential Portuguese phrases for pharmacy conversations in Brazil. It is aimed at English-speaking learners (beginner to intermediate) who want clear, practical language for buying medicine, asking about dosages, and describing symptoms at a farmácia. You will find phrases, short dialogues, usage notes, and example sentences to help you speak confidently.
- Why these phrases matter
- Essential vocabulary to know
- 20 useful phrases for pharmacy conversations
- 1. Asking where the pharmacy is
- 2. Asking if a product is available
- 3. Requesting a generic version
- 4. Showing a prescription
- 5. Asking for dosage instructions
- 6. Asking about side effects
- 7. Asking for a substitute
- 8. Asking about interactions
- 9. Asking for pediatric dosage
- 10. Asking about age restrictions
- 11. Saying you have an allergy
- 12. Asking for a plaster or bandage
- 13. Asking for fever or pain relief
- 14. Asking about storage instructions
- 15. Asking for a cheaper option
- 16. Asking how long to take a medicine
- 17. Asking to speak with the pharmacist
- 18. Asking the price
- 19. Requesting a receipt
- 20. Saying thank you and closing the interaction
- Short sample dialogues
- Pronunciation and politeness tips
- Common follow-up questions pharmacists may ask
- Safety and cultural notes
- Conclusion
Why these phrases matter
Visiting a Brazilian pharmacy often involves quick exchanges about symptoms, medication types, and instructions. Learning common phrases helps you get correct products and follow advice from pharmacists. The expressions below focus on everyday interactions, polite requests, and safety questions.
Essential vocabulary to know
Before the phrases, here are a few key words you will see frequently. The first time each appears it is bolded, and thereafter it is emphasized.
farmácia – pharmacy
remédio – medicine
receita – prescription
comprimido – tablet
cápsula – capsule
spray – spray
xarope – syrup
aplicação – application, dose
20 useful phrases for pharmacy conversations
1. Asking where the pharmacy is
Onde fica a farmácia mais próxima?
Onde fica a farmácia mais próxima?
Usage note: Use this when you need directions. You can also say Onde tem uma farmácia por aqui?
2. Asking if a product is available
Vocês têm este remédio?
Vocês têm este remédio?
Usage note: Show the package or say the active ingredient name. Pharmacists may ask for the purpose or symptoms.
3. Requesting a generic version
Tem genérico?
Tem genérico?
Usage note: Generic medicines are common and cheaper. You can add Se for mais barato, tudo bem?
4. Showing a prescription
Tenho receita do médico.
Tenho receita do médico.
Usage note: Hand over the paper and say É para este remédio? if you want confirmation.
5. Asking for dosage instructions
Como eu tomo este remédio?
Como eu tomo este remédio?
Example answer: Tomar um comprimido a cada 8 horas, com água.
6. Asking about side effects
Quais são os efeitos colaterais?
Quais são os efeitos colaterais?
Usage note: Pharmacists may list common effects. Follow up with O que eu faço se acontecer isso?
7. Asking for a substitute
Tem algum substituto?
Tem algum substituto?
Usage note: Useful when a brand is out of stock. The pharmacist might suggest an alternative with the same princípio ativo.
8. Asking about interactions
Este remédio interage com outros medicamentos?
Este remédio interage com outros medicamentos?
Usage note: Provide the names of other medicines you are taking: Eu tomo também aspirina e antibiótico.
9. Asking for pediatric dosage
Qual a dose para criança?
Qual a dose para criança?
Example: Para criança de 5 anos, dar 5 ml de xarope a cada 8 horas.
10. Asking about age restrictions
Posso tomar este remédio se eu tiver 60 anos?
Posso tomar este remédio se eu tiver 60 anos?
Usage note: Age and pregnancy restrictions matter. Ask specifically se estiver grávida or se amamentando if relevant.
11. Saying you have an allergy
Sou alérgico a penicilina.
Sou alérgico a penicilina.
Usage note: Replace penicilina with any substance you react to. Also say Tenho alergia a látex if relevant for packaging concerns.
12. Asking for a plaster or bandage
Tem curativo ou esparadrapo?
Tem curativo ou esparadrapo?
Usage note: Simple first-aid items are usually available at the counter. Pharmacists may ask qual o tamanho?
13. Asking for fever or pain relief
O que você recomenda para febre?
O que você recomenda para febre?
Example reply: Paracetamol 500 mg, um comprimido a cada 6 horas, não ultrapassar quatro doses por dia.
14. Asking about storage instructions
Como devo guardar este remédio?
Como devo guardar este remédio?
Usage note: Some medicines require refrigeration: Manter em geladeira entre 2°C e 8°C. Others say Guardar em local seco e ao abrigo da luz.
15. Asking for a cheaper option
Tem opção mais barata?
Tem opção mais barata?
Usage note: You can combine with Tem genérico? to emphasize cost sensitivity. The pharmacist may show different brands.
16. Asking how long to take a medicine
Por quanto tempo devo tomar isto?
Por quanto tempo devo tomar isto?
Example: Tomar por 7 dias ou até os sintomas desaparecerem, conforme a receita.
17. Asking to speak with the pharmacist
Posso falar com o farmacêutico?
Posso falar com o farmacêutico?
Usage note: Use when you need a detailed explanation about interactions, dosages, or special care.
18. Asking the price
Quanto custa este remédio?
Quanto custa este remédio?
Usage note: In Brazil, pharmacies sometimes offer different prices in different locations. You can respond to a price with Tem desconto or Você aceita cartão? for payment options.
19. Requesting a receipt
Pode me dar a nota fiscal?
Pode me dar a nota fiscal?
Usage note: Ask for a receipt if you need reimbursement from insurance or to keep records. You can say Preciso para reembolso.
20. Saying thank you and closing the interaction
Muito obrigado pela ajuda.
Muito obrigado pela ajuda.
Usage note: If you are female, you can say Muito obrigada. Follow with Até logo or Tenha um bom dia for politeness.
Short sample dialogues
Dialogue 1: Buying cold medicine
Customer: Vocês têm remédio para resfriado?
Pharmacist: Temos. O xarope para tosse ou comprimidos para dor e febre?
Customer: Um xarope para a tosse. Qual a dose para um adulto?
Pharmacist: Dar 10 ml a cada 8 horas. Não dirigir após o uso se causar sonolência.
Dialogue 2: Prescription needed
Customer: Tenho receita do médico. Pode dispensar?
Pharmacist: Claro, deixe-me ver a receita.
Customer: É para antibiótico.
Pharmacist: Tudo certo. Vai pagar no cartão ou em dinheiro?
Pronunciation and politeness tips
Brazilian Portuguese has a relaxed rhythm, and politeness goes a long way in quick service settings. Use Por favor at the start or end of requests: Por favor, tem este remédio? Say Com licença to get attention when aisles are narrow.
Pronunciation notes: The letter r at the beginning of syllables often sounds like an h in carioca and like a guttural r in other regions. So remédio may sound like HEM-eh-dio or rREH-meh-dio depending on the accent.
Common follow-up questions pharmacists may ask
Pharmacists often confirm purpose and medical background. Expect questions like Para que é? (What is it for?), Você é alérgico a algum medicamento? and Está tomando algum outro remédio? Prepare simple answers with Eu tomo … or Tenho alergia a …
Safety and cultural notes
In Brazil, some medications require a receita and cannot be sold without it. Over-the-counter items like pain relievers and plasters are widely available. Pharmacists play an advisory role and will often suggest less expensive generics or home-care measures. Always read the bula (package insert) and follow the pharmacist’s instructions.
Conclusion
Learning these 20 phrases will help you navigate Brazilian pharmacies with confidence. Practice the short dialogues and vocabulary, and remember polite expressions like Por favor and Obrigado/Obrigada. With these tools you can ask about availability, dosage, interactions, and storage while ensuring safe medication use in Brazil.
