Pharmacy & Health

1. Mayroon ba kayong gamot sa sakit ng ulo?

   Do you have headache medicine?

   Usage

   Ask for headache medicine at a pharmacy in the Philippines

   Grammar Note

   "Mayroon ba...?" = "Do you have...?" polite form. "Kayong" = "kayo" (you, polite/plural) + the linker -ng

2. Kailangan ko ng gamot sa tiyan

   I need stomach medicine

   Usage

   Use when you need stomach medicine

   Grammar Note

   "Kailangan ko ng..." = "I need..." is the standard way to express necessity in Tagalog

3. Kailangan ko ng gamot sa pagtatae

   I need anti-diarrhea medicine

   Usage

   Ask for anti-diarrhea medicine

   Grammar Note

   "Pagtatae" is the standard Tagalog word for diarrhea. The English abbreviation "LBM" (loose bowel movement) is also widely used

4. Mayroon akong lagnat

   I have a fever

   Usage

   Tell the pharmacist you have a fever

   Grammar Note

   "Mayroon akong" = "I have". "Lagnat" is the common Tagalog word for fever

5. Mayroon akong allergy

   I have an allergy

   Usage

   Inform the pharmacist about your allergy

   Grammar Note

   Filipino freely borrows English words. "Allergic ako sa..." = "I am allergic to..."

6. Kailangan ko ng band-aid

   I need bandages/plasters

   Usage

   Ask for bandages or plasters at a pharmacy

   Grammar Note

   "Band-Aid" is used as a generic term for all adhesive bandages in the Philippines

7. Kailangan ko ng insect repellent

   I need insect repellent

   Usage

   Ask for insect repellent at a pharmacy

   Grammar Note

   English terms are widely used in Philippine pharmacies, so the English term "insect repellent" is understood as is

8. Kailangan ko ng sunscreen

   I need sunscreen

   Usage

   Ask for sunscreen at a pharmacy

   Grammar Note

   Both "sunscreen" and "sunblock" are understood. "Pangprotekta sa araw" is the Tagalog expression

9. Paano ko iinumin ang gamot na ito?

   How do I take this medicine?

   Usage

   Ask the pharmacist how to take the medicine

   Grammar Note

   "Paano" = how. Tagalog verbs change form by aspect: "iinumin" is the object-focus contemplated (future) form of "drink"; the doer is "ko" (I) and the medicine ("ang gamot") is the topic

10. Kailangan ko ba ng reseta?

    Do I need a prescription?

    Usage

    Check if a prescription is needed

    Grammar Note

    "Reseta" comes from Spanish "receta". The Philippines was a Spanish colony, so many words have Spanish origins

11. Reseta

    Prescription

    Usage

    For asking whether a prescription is required, or showing one

12. Botika

    Pharmacy

    Usage

    Word for a pharmacy when asking where one is; "parmasya" is also used

13. Termometro

    Thermometer

    Usage

    Point to this to buy a thermometer

14. Benda

    Bandage

    Usage

    For asking for a bandage; an adhesive plaster is a "band-aid"

15. Disimpektante

    Disinfectant

    Usage

    For asking for disinfectant to clean a wound

16. Face mask

    Usage

    Philippine pharmacies use the English term; Tagalog "maskara" means a costume mask or mascara

17. Sanitary napkin

    Sanitary pad

    Usage

    In the Philippines a sanitary pad is called a "napkin"; a table napkin is a separate term

18. Condom

    Usage

    For buying condoms at a pharmacy or convenience store

19. Eye drops

    Usage

    The English term is what Philippine pharmacies use

20. Pain relief patch

    Usage

    A medicated patch for sore muscles; the brand name "Salonpas" also works in the Philippines

21. Gamot sa lagnat

    Fever medicine

    Usage

    For asking for fever medicine; paracetamol ("Biogesic") is the standard

22. Kailangan ko ng gamot sa tibi

    A laxative, please

    Usage

    Ask for a laxative at a pharmacy

    Grammar Note

    Use the frame Kailangan ko ng gamot sa pagtatae, I need diarrhea medicine, replacing pagtatae with tibi, constipation.

Browse all TravelPhrases languages