Tip: Save the phrase cards you may need before you go out. If a translation app fails, you can show the image directly to a hotel clerk, driver, cashier, restaurant staff member, or police officer.
What to do first: For minor needs, show your symptoms and allergies at a pharmacy. For serious or unclear symptoms, seek medical help instead of trying to self-diagnose.
China has many pharmacies, but brand names, medicine names, and dosage instructions may be hard for a foreign visitor. This page is about communication and safety, not medical advice.
What matters first
- Bring essential medicines from home. Keep original packaging when possible.
- Use a translation app for symptoms and medicine names.
- Tell the pharmacy about allergies, pregnancy, chronic conditions, or other medicines.
- For severe symptoms, go to a hospital or clinic.
What should you do?
- Show the symptom, not just the medicine you think you need.
- Ask how to take the medicine. Confirm dose and frequency.
- Take a photo of the packaging and instructions.
- Do not mix unfamiliar medicines without professional advice.
- If symptoms are serious, worsening, or unusual, seek medical help.
Pharmacy mistakes to avoid
- Buying medicine based only on a familiar-looking package.
- Not mentioning allergies.
- Assuming dosage instructions are the same as at home.
- Trying to handle serious symptoms at a pharmacy.
Pharmacy phrases worth saving
- 我不舒服。 (Wo bu shufu.)
I feel unwell.
Save this phrase card before you go out. - 请问，这个药怎么吃？ (Qingwen, zhege yao zenme chi?)
How should I take this medicine?
Save this phrase card before you go out. - 我对这个过敏。 (Wo dui zhege guomin.)
I am allergic to this.
Save this phrase card before you go out.
FAQ
Is this medical advice?
No. This is only a travel communication guide. For serious symptoms, ask a medical professional.
Can pharmacy staff speak English?
Sometimes, but do not rely on it. Use a translation app and show written symptoms.
Before you lose signal or battery: save the few cards and addresses you may need today, especially hotel address, pharmacy, payment failure, and emergency help.
Next: Go back to Daily Basics, or save the related Chinese phrase cards.