EverydayIntermediate
Buying cold medicine in English
What to say at a pharmacy when you have a cold, sore throat, and runny nose.
The textbook way: people will understand, but it isn't what they say
Hello. I am cold.
What people actually say ↓Full script
Lin
Hi! I think I have a cold.
Them
Oh no. What are your symptoms?
Lin
I have a sore throat and a runny nose.
Them
Any allergies to medicine?
Lin
No, none that I know of.
Them
Try these. Follow the directions on the box.
Lin
Got it. Thank you so much!
Them
Feel better soon!
Key phrases
The lines worth keeping. Read them once before you go out.
Say this first
✗ I am cold.
✓ I think I have a cold.Not 100% sure.
have a cold = sick；I'm cold = feel cold
Pharmacist: What are your symptoms?
✓ I have a sore throat.Your throat hurts.
sore = painful；for head, say a headache
Add one more symptom
✓ I have a runny nose.Your nose is runny.
Blocked nose: a stuffy nose
Pharmacist: Any allergies?
✓ None that I know of.No, none so far.
Also for history; safer than just No
Quick answers
Say this first: what to say in English
Say “I think I have a cold.” — not 100% sure. have a cold = sick；I'm cold = feel cold.
Pharmacist “What are your symptoms”: what to say in English
Say “I have a sore throat.” — your throat hurts. sore = painful；for head, say a headache.
Add one more symptom: what to say in English
Say “I have a runny nose.” — your nose is runny. Blocked nose: a stuffy nose.
Pharmacist “Any allergies”: what to say in English
Say “None that I know of.” — no, none so far. Also for history; safer than just No.