Use the phrase "Me gustaría" (may goo-stah-REE-ah) for "I would like." This is a good way to begin if you already know what medicine you want.
Tell the pharmacist what you need by saying one or more of the following: aspirin, "aspirina" (ah-spee-REE-nah); cough syrup, "jarabe" (hah-RAH-bay); pills, "pastillas" (pah-STEE-yahs); nasal spray, "espray para la nariz" (eh-SPRAH-ee PAH-rah lah nah-REES). Brand names such as Tylenol or Advil are so well-known internationally that you can ask for them by name.
Explain your symptoms to the pharmacist, choosing from the following as needed: stomach ache, "dolor de estómago" (doh-LOHR day eh-STOH-mah-goh); headache, "dolor de cabeza" (doh-LOHR day cah-BAY-sah); sore throat, "dolor de garganta" (doh-LOHR day gahr-GAHN-tah); a cough, "una tos" (OO-nah tohs).
Tell the pharmacist about all aches and pains that may affect his decision as to what to prescribe you. Use the phrase "Tengo dolor de" (TEHN-goh doh-LOHR day) to say "I have a pain in my ... ." Then you can add the body part to the phrase to make it clear. If you don't know the name of the body part in Spanish, just say "Tengo dolor aquí" (TEHN-goh doh-LOHR ah-KEE), which means "I have a pain here." Then point to make your meaning clear.
Learn various body parts in Spanish. This will make it easier for you to communicate with medical professionals: head, "cabeza" (cah-BAY-sah); neck, "cuello" (KWAY-yoh); shoulder, "hombro" (OHM-broh); elbow, "codo" (COH-doh); ribs, "costillas" (coh-STEE-yahs); knee, "rodilla" (roh-DEE-yah); thigh, "muslo" (MOOS-loh); shin, "espinilla" (eh-spee-NEE-yah); calf, "pantorrilla" (pahn-toh-REE-yah); chest, "pecho" (PAY-choh); fingers, "dedos" (DAY-dohs); toes, "dedos del pie" (DAY-dohs dehl pee-AY). Note that "toes" in Spanish are called "fingers of the foot."
Request that the pharmacist fill a prescription for you, if you have one, by saying "Necesito rellenar esta receta" (neh-seh-SEE-toh ray-yay-NAHR EH-stah ray-SAY-tah).
Remember to thank the pharmacist for her time by saying "Gracias" (GRAH-see-ahs).
