For a cold or a headache you usually go to the pharmacy (Apotheke) first. Learn to describe what you have, understand the pharmacist's advice and the instructions on the package.
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| German | Meaning |
|---|---|
| die Apotheke, -n | pharmacy |
| der Apotheker, - / die Apothekerin, -nen | pharmacist |
| das Medikament, -e | medicine |
| die Tablette, -n | tablet |
| das Nasenspray, -s | nasal spray |
| die Erkältung, -en | cold |
| der Schnupfen | runny nose |
| der Husten | cough |
| das Fieber | fever, temperature |
| die Halsschmerzen (pl.) | sore throat |
| die Kopfschmerzen (pl.) | headache |
| müde | tired |
| krank / gesund | ill / healthy |
| das Rezept, -e | prescription |
| dreimal am Tag | three times a day |
| vor / nach dem Essen | before / after meals |
| Gute Besserung! | Get well soon! |
| besser | better |
| sich ausruhen | to rest |
| der Tee, -s | tea |
| die Packungsbeilage, -n | package leaflet |
Pharmacists and doctors give advice with the imperative with Sie: the verb comes first, then Sie. It looks like a question, but ends with a full stop.
| Infinitive | Imperative (Sie) |
|---|---|
| nehmen | Nehmen Sie die Tabletten nach dem Essen. |
| trinken | Trinken Sie viel Tee. |
| schlafen | Schlafen Sie viel. |
| gehen | Gehen Sie zum Arzt. |
| sein | Seien Sie vorsichtig. |
Use haben with most symptoms: Ich habe Fieber / Husten / Schnupfen / eine Erkältung. Pains are usually plural with -schmerzen: Ich habe Kopfschmerzen / Halsschmerzen / Bauchschmerzen. With sein: Ich bin müde / krank. Frequency: einmal, zweimal, dreimal am Tag.
Tap the words in the right order.
You are ill and cannot go to work. Write a short message to your team lead (30–40 words): say you are ill, what you have, and that you will go to the doctor.
Guten Morgen, Herr Wolf, leider bin ich heute krank. Ich habe Fieber und Halsschmerzen. Ich gehe heute zum Arzt und schicke Ihnen die Krankmeldung. Viele Grüße Meera Iyer
In Germany many medicines, even simple ones, are only sold in pharmacies, not in supermarkets, and prescription medicines need a doctor's prescription (Rezept). Outside opening hours, a pharmacy emergency service (Notdienst) is always open in your area; the address is posted on every pharmacy door. If you are off sick from work, most employers need a doctor's certificate from the fourth day, some from the first.
Related: Seeing a doctor in Germany · First 30 days in Germany · German phrases you need
