First Phrases

Pharmacy · Deutsch

Pharmacy in German: 12 survival phrases

Ask for help with a cough, a headache or a prescription, and find the nearest late-night pharmacy. The pharmacist is often the quickest first stop, so a few exact phrases save a lot of pointing.

Phrases, not advice. These cards only help you say what you need. They give no medical, legal, tax or financial advice. For any decision, ask the pharmacist, doctor, bank or the official office.

Register: Polite (formal is safer). Use "Sie" with pharmacists and doctors in Germany. A closed pharmacy shows a sign with the nearest "Notdienst-Apotheke" (on-duty pharmacy).

How to read the sounds: kh = the ch of Scottish 'loch' (after a, o, u) or a soft hiss like 'h' in 'huge' (after i, e). ue = ü (say 'ee' with rounded lips), oe = ö. z = ts, v = f, w = v. Stress is in CAPITALS.

Your recording stays on your device.

Official names used

On this card: Apotheke, Rezept, Notdienst. Spelling checked against official sites on 2026-10-20:

12 phrases you will need

  1. 01Polite
    Guten Tag. Können Sie mir bitte helfen?
    Say it like: GOO-ten tahk. KOE-nen zee meer BIT-teh HEL-fen
    Hello. Can you help me, please?
    Register: Polite; "Sie".
  2. 02Neutral
    Ich suche etwas gegen Kopfschmerzen.
    Say it like: ikh ZOO-kheh ET-vahs GAY-gen KOPF-shmer-tsen
    I'm looking for something for a headache.
    Register: Swap "Kopfschmerzen" for your complaint.
  3. 03Neutral
    Ich habe Halsschmerzen und Husten.
    Say it like: ikh HAH-beh HAHLS-shmer-tsen oont HOO-sten
    I have a sore throat and a cough.
    Register: Neutral.
  4. 04Neutral
    Ist das rezeptpflichtig?
    Say it like: ist dahs reh-TSEPT-pflikh-tikh
    Does this need a prescription?
    Register: Neutral.
  5. 05Neutral
    Ich habe ein Rezept. Bitte sehr.
    Say it like: ikh HAH-beh ine reh-TSEPT. BIT-teh zair
    I have a prescription. Here you are.
    Register: Neutral.
  6. 06Neutral
    Ich bin allergisch gegen Penicillin.
    Say it like: ikh bin ah-LER-gish GAY-gen peh-nee-tsee-LEEN
    I'm allergic to penicillin.
    Register: Swap the drug name for your own allergy.
  7. 07Neutral
    Wie oft muss ich das einnehmen?
    Say it like: vee oft moos ikh dahs INE-nay-men
    How often do I have to take this?
    Register: Neutral.
  8. 08Polite
    Können Sie mir bitte aufschreiben, wie ich es einnehme?
    Say it like: KOE-nen zee meer BIT-teh OWF-shry-ben, vee ikh es INE-nay-meh
    Could you write down how I take it, please?
    Register: Polite.
  9. 09Polite
    Haben Sie ein günstigeres Generikum?
    Say it like: HAH-ben zee ine GUEN-stig-eh-res gay-NAY-ree-koom
    Do you have a cheaper generic version?
    Register: Polite.
  10. 10Polite
    Haben Sie etwas, das nicht müde macht?
    Say it like: HAH-ben zee ET-vahs, dahs nikht MUE-deh makht
    Do you have something that doesn't make you tired?
    Register: Polite.
  11. 11Neutral
    Welche Apotheke hat heute Nacht Notdienst?
    Say it like: VEL-kheh ah-poh-TAY-keh haht HOY-teh nakht NOHT-deenst
    Which pharmacy is on duty tonight?
    Register: "Notdienst" = the on-duty rota.
  12. 12Neutral
    Was kostet das? Kann ich mit Karte zahlen?
    Say it like: vahs KOS-tet dahs? kahn ikh mit KAR-teh TSAH-len
    How much is it? Can I pay by card?
    Register: Neutral.

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Quick answers

What do I say to start at the pharmacy in German?

Start with: "Guten Tag. Können Sie mir bitte helfen?" (Hello. Can you help me, please?)

Should I use informal or formal German at the pharmacy?

Use "Sie" with pharmacists and doctors in Germany. A closed pharmacy shows a sign with the nearest "Notdienst-Apotheke" (on-duty pharmacy).

How do I ask whether something needs a prescription in German?

Try: "Ist das rezeptpflichtig?" (Does this need a prescription?)

Same errand, another language

Español Português Français Deutsch Italiano Nederlands

German, another errand

Pharmacy Doctor / GP Opening a bank account Tax office Renting a flat

All 5 × 6 survival decks · Phrases for an evening out

How it works

  1. Pick the errand and the language of the country you are in.
  2. Read the twelve phrases: each has the English meaning, an easy pronunciation guide and a register note. Tap the speaker to hear it in your device's voice, or tap Practise to record yourself and compare with the model (your recording never leaves your device).
  3. Print the card or keep it open on your phone. The official names of offices and numbers are checked against the official sites; native-speaker review is still pending.
  4. Once you are settled, open Meet & Mint to find events near you, see who else is going, join alone and chat with the group.

firstphrases.app/survival/pharmacy/de/ · Phrases, not advice · Meet & Mint