Pharmacy & Health

1. 有冇頭痛藥？

   jau5 mou5 tau4 tung3 joek6?

   Do you have headache medicine?

   Usage

   Ask for headache medicine at a pharmacy in Hong Kong/Guangdong

   Grammar Note

   Cantonese uses the "jau5 mou5" (have-not-have) A-not-A question form. Equivalent to Mandarin "yǒu ma"

2. 我需要胃藥

   ngo5 seoi1 jiu3 wai6 joek6

   I need stomach medicine

   Usage

   Use when you need stomach medicine

   Grammar Note

   Cantonese "ngo5" (I) sounds different from Mandarin "wǒ". "seoi1 jiu3" means "need"

3. 我需要止瀉藥

   ngo5 seoi1 jiu3 zi2 se3 joek6

   I need anti-diarrhea medicine

   Usage

   Ask for anti-diarrhea medicine

   Grammar Note

   "zi2 se3" means "stop diarrhea". "se3" refers to diarrhea in Cantonese

4. 我發燒

   ngo5 faat3 siu1

   I have a fever

   Usage

   Tell the pharmacist you have a fever

   Grammar Note

   "faat3 siu1" means "to develop a fever". A typical Cantonese expression for having a fever

5. 我有過敏

   ngo5 jau5 gwo3 man5

   I have an allergy

   Usage

   Inform the pharmacist about your allergy

   Grammar Note

   "gwo3 man5" means "overly sensitive" = allergy. "man5 gam2" (sensitive) is also used

6. 我需要膠布

   ngo5 seoi1 jiu3 gaau1 bou3

   I need bandages/plasters

   Usage

   Ask for bandages or plasters at a pharmacy

   Grammar Note

   In Hong Kong a sticking plaster is 膠布 (gaau1 bou3). "OK繃" is the Taiwanese trademark-derived word and may not be understood in HK.

7. 我需要防蚊噴霧

   ngo5 seoi1 jiu3 fong4 man1 pan3 mou6

   I need insect repellent

   Usage

   Ask for insect repellent at a pharmacy

   Grammar Note

   Cantonese uses the same characters but different pronunciation. "fong4" means "to prevent"

8. 我需要防曬霜

   ngo5 seoi1 jiu3 fong4 saai3 soeng1

   I need sunscreen

   Usage

   Ask for sunscreen at a pharmacy

   Grammar Note

   Cantonese uses "soeng1" (cream) or "jyu5" (lotion). "fong4 saai3" means "sun protection"

9. 呢隻藥點食？

   ni1 zek3 joek6 dim2 sik6?

   How do I take this medicine?

   Usage

   Ask the pharmacist how to take the medicine

   Grammar Note

   "dim2" is the Cantonese adverb "how". "sik6 joek6" = "eat medicine" (take medicine)

10. 需唔需要處方箋？

    seoi1 m4 seoi1 jiu3 cyu2 fong1 zin1?

    Do I need a prescription?

    Usage

    Check if a prescription is needed

    Grammar Note

    "seoi1 m4 seoi1 jiu3" is the A-not-A question form. "M" is the Cantonese negation marker

11. 處方

    cyu2 fong1

    Prescription

    Usage

    Use it to check whether a medicine needs a doctor’s prescription

12. 藥房

    joek6 fong4

    Pharmacy

    Usage

    HK says "joek6 fong4", not the Mandarin "yàodiàn"; show it when asking directions

13. 探熱針

    taam3 jit6 zam1

    Thermometer

    Usage

    HK Cantonese calls a thermometer "taam3 jit6 zam1", not the Mandarin "tǐwēnjì"

14. 繃帶

    bang1 daai3

    Bandage

    Usage

    Show it when buying wound-dressing supplies

15. 消毒藥水

    siu1 duk6 joek6 seoi2

    Antiseptic

    Usage

    For asking for antiseptic for a cut or graze

16. 口罩

    hau2 zaau3

    Face mask

    Usage

    Show it at a pharmacy or convenience store

17. 衛生巾

    wai6 sang1 gan1

    Sanitary pads

    Usage

    HK writes "wai6 sang1 gan1"; Taiwan uses a different term

18. 避孕套

    bei6 jan6 tou3

    Condom

    Usage

    HK says "bei6 jan6 tou3" or "on1 cyun4 tou3" — show it instead of saying it

19. 眼藥水

    ngaan5 joek6 seoi2

    Eye drops

    Usage

    For asking for drops for dry or red eyes

20. 藥貼

    joek6 tip3

    Medicated patch

    Usage

    A pain-relief patch for sore muscles; HK says "joek6 tip3" or "zan3 tung3 tip3"

21. 退燒藥

    teoi3 siu1 joek6

    Fever reducer

    Usage

    Show it at the pharmacy when you have a fever

22. 唔該畀啲通便藥我

    m4 goi1 bei2 di1 tung1 bin6 joek6 ngo5

    A laxative, please

    Usage

    Ask for a laxative at a pharmacy

    Grammar Note

    "唔該畀啲…我" is the frame for "please give me some ...". "通便" means to promote bowel movements, so "通便藥" is a laxative

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