Pharmacy & Health

1. Het julle medisyne vir hoofpyn?

   Do you have headache medicine?

   Usage

   Ask for headache medicine at an Afrikaans pharmacy (apteek)

   Grammar Note

   "Hoof" (head) + "pyn" (pain) = headache. "Het julle" addresses several people (plural "you")

2. Ek het maagmedisyne nodig

   I need stomach medicine

   Usage

   Use when you need stomach medicine

   Grammar Note

   "...nodig hê" = "to need..." in Afrikaans

3. Ek het medisyne vir diarree nodig

   I need anti-diarrhea medicine

   Usage

   Ask for anti-diarrhea medicine

   Grammar Note

   "Diarree" is a Dutch-origin medical term used in Afrikaans

4. Ek het koors

   I have a fever

   Usage

   Tell the pharmacist you have a fever

   Grammar Note

   "Koors" from Dutch "koorts" (fever)

5. Ek het 'n allergie

   I have an allergy

   Usage

   Inform the pharmacist about your allergy

   Grammar Note

   "Ek is allergies vir..." = "I am allergic to..."

6. Ek het pleisters nodig

   I need bandages/plasters

   Usage

   Ask for bandages or plasters at a pharmacy

   Grammar Note

   "Pleister" means plaster/bandage, same as Dutch

7. Ek het insekweerder nodig

   I need insect repellent

   Usage

   Ask for insect repellent at a pharmacy

   Grammar Note

   "Insek" (insect) + "weerder" (deterrent) = repellent. Important for malaria prevention in SA

8. Ek het sonskerm nodig

   I need sunscreen

   Usage

   Ask for sunscreen at a pharmacy

   Grammar Note

   "Son" (sun) + "skerm" (shield/screen). Essential in South Africa's strong sun

9. Hoe neem ek hierdie medisyne in?

   How do I take this medicine?

   Usage

   Ask the pharmacist how to take the medicine

   Grammar Note

   "Inneem" is a separable verb meaning "to take medicine". "In" comes at the end

10. Het ek 'n voorskrif nodig?

    Do I need a prescription?

    Usage

    Check if a prescription is needed

    Grammar Note

    "Sonder voorskrif" = without prescription (OTC) is a key pharmacy term

11. Apteek

    Pharmacy

    Usage

    When asking where a pharmacy is; the word also appears on shop signs

12. Voorskrif

    Prescription

    Usage

    When asked whether you have a prescription; prescription medicine is "voorskrifmedisyne"

13. Termometer

    Thermometer

    Usage

    To buy a thermometer at a pharmacy

14. Verband

    Bandage

    Usage

    To buy a bandage; outside a pharmacy the same word can mean "connection/context"

15. Ontsmettingsmiddel

    Antiseptic / disinfectant

    Usage

    To buy antiseptic for cleaning a wound

16. Gesigmasker

    Face mask

    Usage

    To buy a face mask; the bare word "masker" can also mean a costume mask

17. Sanitêre doekies

    Sanitary pads

    Usage

    To buy sanitary pads; tampons are "tampons"

18. Kondoom

    Condom

    Usage

    To buy them at a pharmacy or shop without having to say it out loud

19. Oogdruppels

    Eye drops

    Usage

    To buy eye drops

20. Koorsmiddel

    Fever medicine

    Usage

    When asking for something to bring a fever down

21. Ek het 'n lakseermiddel nodig

    A laxative, please

    Usage

    To ask for a laxative at a pharmacy when constipated

    Grammar Note

    "Ek het ... nodig" wraps around what you need, the same frame as "Ek het medisyne vir diarree nodig"

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