First Phrases

Pharmacy · Nederlands

Pharmacy in Dutch: 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). In the Netherlands "u" (polite you) is the safe choice with pharmacists and doctors, although many people there say "je". Out of hours, ask for the "dienstapotheek" (on-duty pharmacy) or call your "huisartsenpost".

How to read the sounds: g and ch are a rough throat sound, written kh (like Scottish 'loch'), stronger than English h. ou/ui = 'ow'; ij/ei = 'ay' (as in 'say'); eu = a rounded 'uh' (like French 'peu'); uu = 'ew' (say 'ee' with rounded lips); oe = 'oo'. Stress is in CAPITALS.

Your recording stays on your device.

Official names used

On this card: apotheek, recept, dienstapotheek. Spelling checked against official sites on 2026-10-20:

12 phrases you will need

  1. 01Polite
    Goedemorgen. Kunt u mij helpen, alstublieft?
    Say it like: KHOO-duh-mor-khuh. kunt ew may HEL-puh, AHL-stew-bleeft
    Good morning. Can you help me, please?
    Register: Polite; "u".
  2. 02Neutral
    Ik zoek iets tegen hoofdpijn.
    Say it like: ik zook eets TAY-khuh HOHFT-pine
    I'm looking for something for a headache.
    Register: Swap "hoofdpijn" for your complaint.
  3. 03Neutral
    Ik heb keelpijn en ik hoest.
    Say it like: ik hep KAYL-pine en ik hoost
    I have a sore throat and a cough.
    Register: Neutral.
  4. 04Neutral
    Heb ik hiervoor een recept nodig?
    Say it like: hep ik heer-FOR ayn ruh-SEPT NOH-dukh
    Do I need a prescription for this?
    Register: Neutral.
  5. 05Polite
    Ik heb een recept. Alstublieft.
    Say it like: ik hep ayn ruh-SEPT. AHL-stew-bleeft
    I have a prescription. Here you are.
    Register: "Alstublieft" is the polite "please / here you are".
  6. 06Neutral
    Ik ben allergisch voor penicilline.
    Say it like: ik ben ah-LER-khees fohr pay-nee-see-LEE-nuh
    I'm allergic to penicillin.
    Register: Swap the drug name for your own allergy.
  7. 07Neutral
    Hoe vaak moet ik dit innemen?
    Say it like: hoo vahk moot ik dit IN-nay-muh
    How often do I have to take this?
    Register: Neutral.
  8. 08Polite
    Kunt u opschrijven hoe ik het moet innemen?
    Say it like: kunt ew OP-skhry-vuh hoo ik uht moot IN-nay-muh
    Could you write down how I should take it?
    Register: Polite.
  9. 09Polite
    Heeft u een goedkopere variant?
    Say it like: hayft ew ayn khoot-KOH-puh-ruh vah-ree-ANT
    Do you have a cheaper alternative?
    Register: Polite; pharmacies can offer a generic ("generiek middel").
  10. 10Polite
    Heeft u iets wat niet slaperig maakt?
    Say it like: hayft ew eets wat neet SLAH-puh-rukh mahkt
    Do you have something that doesn't make you drowsy?
    Register: Polite.
  11. 11Neutral
    Welke apotheek heeft vanavond dienst?
    Say it like: VEL-kuh ah-poh-TAYK hayft vah-NAH-vont deenst
    Which pharmacy is on duty tonight?
    Register: "Dienst hebben" = to be on duty.
  12. 12Neutral
    Wat kost het? Kan ik pinnen?
    Say it like: wat kost uht? kan ik PIN-nuh
    How much is it? Can I pay by card?
    Register: "Pinnen" = pay by debit card; very common in the Netherlands.

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Quick answers

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

Start with: "Goedemorgen. Kunt u mij helpen, alstublieft?" (Good morning. Can you help me, please?)

Should I use informal or formal Dutch at the pharmacy?

In the Netherlands "u" (polite you) is the safe choice with pharmacists and doctors, although many people there say "je". Out of hours, ask for the "dienstapotheek" (on-duty pharmacy) or call your "huisartsenpost".

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

Try: "Heb ik hiervoor een recept nodig?" (Do I need a prescription for this?)

Same errand, another language

Español Português Français Deutsch Italiano Nederlands

Dutch, 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/nl/ · Phrases, not advice · Meet & Mint