Introduction
Visiting a pharmacy in Brazil is a common and practical experience. This article teaches you what to say in Portuguese when you need help for a mild issue, such as a headache, cold, or minor stomach problem. Learn useful phrases, pronunciation tips, and polite ways to ask for over-the-counter remedies and advice.
- Before you enter: vocabulary and polite phrases
- Short, polite opening phrases
- Asking for over-the-counter medicine
- Asking for dosage and usage instructions
- Asking about side effects and interactions
- Buying personal care items and non-medicines
- Politeness and cultural notes
- Special situations: asking for help with packaging or returns
- Quick reference: common sentences to memorize
- Conclusion
Before you enter: vocabulary and polite phrases
Knowing a few words and polite expressions will make your visit smoother. The first time you see a key Portuguese term, it is in bold; later appearances use em formatting.
Farmácia means pharmacy. You’ll also hear drogaria used interchangeably in Brazil. When entering, a simple greeting goes a long way: Bom dia (good morning), Boa tarde (good afternoon), or Boa noite (good evening).
To get someone’s attention politely, say Com licença or Desculpe. If you want to ask where something is, use Onde fica followed by the item, for example onde fica o setor de medicamentos (where is the medication section).
Useful words to recognize
Remédio = medicine
Analgésico = painkiller
Antigripal = cold medicine
Antiácido = antacid
Pomada = topical ointment
Short, polite opening phrases
Start your interaction with a greeting and a simple statement of need. These short phrases are natural and common in Brazilian pharmacies.
Examples:
Bom dia, eu preciso de ajuda.
Bom dia, eu preciso de ajuda. means Good morning, I need help.
Desculpe, pode me ajudar?
Desculpe, pode me ajudar? means Excuse me, can you help me?
How to describe a mild issue
Be concise and clear when describing symptoms. Use simple sentences and mention the duration or severity if relevant.
Examples:
Estou com dor de cabeça.
Estou com dor de cabeça. I have a headache.
Estou resfriado(a).
Estou resfriado(a). I have a cold. Note: add the a for female speakers.
Meu estômago está meio desconfortável.
Meu estômago está meio desconfortável. My stomach feels a bit uncomfortable.
Asking for over-the-counter medicine
Pharmacy staff often recommend specific products. Use phrases that indicate you want non-prescription options or something for immediate relief.
Useful phrases:
Tem algo para dor de cabeça sem receita?
Tem algo para dor de cabeça sem receita? Do you have something for headaches without a prescription?
O que você recomenda para uma gripe leve?
O que você recomenda para uma gripe leve? What do you recommend for a mild flu/cold?
Tem antigripal que não precise de receita?
Tem antigripal que não precise de receita? Do you have cold medicine that doesn’t need a prescription?
When you need a specific product
If you already know the type of medicine you want, name it directly. This saves time and is common practice.
Examples:
Tem paracetamol?
Tem paracetamol? Do you have paracetamol?
Preciso de um antiácido.
Preciso de um antiácido. I need an antacid.
Você tem pomada para picada de mosquito?
Você tem pomada para picada de mosquito? Do you have ointment for mosquito bites?
Asking for dosage and usage instructions
Understanding how to take medication is important. Ask for dosage in a simple way and confirm how often to take it.
Helpful questions:
Como eu devo tomar este remédio?
Como eu devo tomar este remédio? How should I take this medicine?
Quantas vezes por dia?
Quantas vezes por dia? How many times a day?
Posso tomar com o estômago vazio?
Posso tomar com o estômago vazio? Can I take it on an empty stomach?
Understanding common labels and instructions
Pharmacies will often give brief instructions or you will read them on the package. Know these simple words:
Via oral = oral use
Aplicar = apply
Tomar = to take
A cada = every (as in every 8 hours: a cada 8 horas)
a cada 8 horas should be used to describe repeated doses.
Asking about side effects and interactions
It is wise to ask about side effects or interactions, especially if you take other medicines or have allergies.
Key phrases:
Tem algum efeito colateral?
Tem algum efeito colateral? Are there any side effects?
Posso tomar com outros remédios?
Posso tomar com outros remédios? Can I take this with other medicines?
Sou alérgico(a) a … O que você recomenda?
Sou alérgico(a) a … O que você recomenda? I am allergic to … What do you recommend? (Specify the substance after the ellipsis)
Polite ways to repeat or confirm information
If you didn’t catch something, use these phrases to ask for repetition or clarification.
Examples:
Pode repetir, por favor?
Pode repetir, por favor? Can you repeat, please?
Você pode escrever as instruções?
Você pode escrever as instruções? Can you write down the instructions?
Entendi. Posso fazer uma pergunta rápida?
Entendi. Posso fazer uma pergunta rápida? I understand. May I ask a quick question?
Buying personal care items and non-medicines
Pharmacies in Brazil sell many personal care items. Use straightforward phrases when looking for these products.
Examples:
Onde estão os termômetros?
Onde estão os termômetros? Where are the thermometers?
Tem lenço de papel e álcool gel?
Tem lenço de papel e álcool gel? Do you have tissues and hand sanitizer?
Estou procurando protetor solar.
Estou procurando protetor solar. I am looking for sunscreen.
Short dialogues for common scenarios
Here are natural, short dialogues you might hear or use at a pharmacy. Each line is a complete phrase you can practice.
Dialogue 1 — Headache:
Client: Boa tarde, eu estou com dor de cabeça.
Boa tarde, eu estou com dor de cabeça.
Pharmacist: Tem febre?
Tem febre?
Client: Não, só dor.
Não, só dor.
Pharmacist: Posso sugerir paracetamol, tomar 1 comprimido a cada 6 horas.
Posso sugerir paracetamol, tomar 1 comprimido a cada 6 horas.
Dialogue 2 — Cold symptoms:
Client: Desculpe, preciso de algo para dor de garganta e nariz entupido.
Desculpe, preciso de algo para dor de garganta e nariz entupido.
Pharmacist: Tem preferência por xarope ou comprimido?
Tem preferência por xarope ou comprimido?
Client: Xarope, por favor.
Xarope, por favor.
Politeness and cultural notes
Brazilians are generally friendly and helpful in pharmacies. A few cultural tips will help you blend in:
Use por favor and obrigado/obrigada often. If you are male, say obrigado; if you are female, say obrigada. Ask questions politely and listen for the pharmacist’s suggestions — they often offer alternatives or generic brands.
Pronunciation tips for beginners
Focus on clear, slow pronunciation rather than perfect accent. Key guidance:
Bom dia — pronounce bom like boom with a nasal ending.
Paracetamol — similar to English but stress the penultimate syllable: para-ce-TA-mol.
Obrigado/Obrigada — stress the second syllable: o-bri-GA-do / o-bri-GA-da.
Special situations: asking for help with packaging or returns
Sometimes you need help opening packaging or returning a purchase. Use these simple phrases to explain your situation.
Examples:
Não consigo abrir a embalagem, pode me ajudar?
Não consigo abrir a embalagem, pode me ajudar? I can’t open the package, can you help me?
Posso trocar este produto?
Posso trocar este produto? Can I exchange this product?
O prazo de validade deste remédio é até quando?
O prazo de validade deste remédio é até quando? Until when is the expiration date of this medicine?
When to ask for a pharmacist or professional advice
If you have multiple conditions or take several medications, ask to speak with the pharmacist. Use the phrase:
Posso falar com o farmacêutico?
Posso falar com o farmacêutico? May I speak with the pharmacist?
Quick reference: common sentences to memorize
Keep these short lines in your mind for quick use.
Estou com dor aqui.
Estou com dor aqui. I have pain here.
Tem algo para enjoo?
Tem algo para enjoo? Do you have something for nausea?
Preciso de algo para alergia.
Preciso de algo para alergia. I need something for allergy.
Qual é o preço?
Qual é o preço? What is the price?
Final tips for a smooth visit
Bring any existing medication names or a list of allergies. Use polite language and repeat instructions back if you want to confirm. Pharmacies in Brazil often have a pharmacist available to give advice, and many staff will be happy to explain in simple terms if you ask politely.
Conclusion
With these phrases and tips, you can confidently visit a Brazilian pharmacy for a mild issue. Practice greetings, symptom descriptions, and questions about dosage and side effects. Polite language and clarity will help you get the right advice and medicine quickly and respectfully.
