Buy medicine
Tôi cần mua thuốc
I need to buy medicine
Start at the pharmacy.
Southern Vietnamese
Vietnamese Pharmacy Phrases
Use these pharmacy phrases to explain symptoms, ask for medicine, protect yourself from allergies, and understand dosage instructions.
Mini lesson
Use this when...
Use this page at Vietnamese pharmacies for simple symptoms and medicine questions, not as a replacement for medical care.
Day 44 pharmacy focus
Intro: medicine and hospital
Buy medicine, understand simple instructions, and name key medical places.
Medicine tip
Uống 2 viên mỗi ngày = take 2 pills per day.
Dosage
Uống hai viên mỗi ngày
Take two pills per day
Listen for viên and mỗi ngày.
Prescription
Toa thuốc của tôi
My prescription
Use toa thuốc for prescription.
Ready for the next step?
Mark this task complete, then continue without going back to the checklist.
Day 44 vocabulary focus
Vocabulary: thuốc, bác sĩ, y tá, bệnh viện, phòng khám, toa thuốc, uống thuốc, tiêm, khỏi bệnh
Practice medicine, people, places, and treatment words.
medicine
thuốc
medicine
doctor
bác sĩ
doctor
nurse
y tá
nurse
hospital
bệnh viện
hospital
clinic
phòng khám
clinic
prescription
toa thuốc
prescription
take medicine
uống thuốc
take medicine
injection
tiêm
injection or inject
recover
khỏi bệnh
recover from illness
Ready for the next step?
Mark this task complete, then continue without going back to the checklist.
Day 44 speaking skill
Speaking skill: buy medicine and follow instructions
Ask for medicine, show a prescription, and repeat the dosage.
Need medicine
Tôi cần mua thuốc
I need to buy medicine
Prescription
Toa thuốc của tôi
My prescription
Dosage
Uống hai viên mỗi ngày
Take two pills per day
Viên is a pill/tablet classifier.
Ready for the next step?
Mark this task complete, then continue without going back to the checklist.
Day 44 grammar focus
Grammar note: Uống thuốc + bao nhiêu lần / ngày
Ask or understand how many times per day to take medicine.
Question
Uống thuốc bao nhiêu lần một ngày?
How many times per day should I take the medicine?
How many times per day?
Answer
Uống hai viên mỗi ngày
Take two pills per day
Take two pills per day.
Ready for the next step?
Mark this task complete, then continue without going back to the checklist.
Day 44 roleplay
Exercise: pharmacy roleplay
Practice buying medicine, explaining a symptom, and confirming dosage.
1
Ask medicine
Tôi cần mua thuốc
I need to buy medicine
2
Symptom
Tôi bị ho
I have a cough
Common pharmacy request.
3
Ask dosage
Uống thuốc bao nhiêu lần một ngày?
How many times per day should I take the medicine?
4
Repeat dosage
Uống hai viên mỗi ngày
Take two pills per day
Viên is a pill/tablet classifier.
Ready for the next step?
Mark this task complete, then continue without going back to the checklist.
Real situations
Explain symptoms
Say the symptom clearly and keep it short.
Tôi bị đau đầu Tôi bị đau bụng Tôi bị sốt Tôi bị ho Tôi bị cảm Tôi bị đau họng Tôi bị sổ mũi Tôi bị tiêu chảy Tôi bị buồn nôn Tôi bị mất ngủ
Tôi bị... is a useful symptom pattern.
Explain duration
Tell the pharmacist how long the symptom has been happening.
Duration helps staff decide whether basic medicine is enough.
Ask for medicine and dosage
Ask whether medicine exists, how many pills to take, and how to use it.
Có thuốc nào không? Uống mấy lần một ngày? Uống bao nhiêu viên? Mỗi lần một viên Uống trước khi ăn Uống sau khi ăn Thuốc này dùng sao?
Do not leave without understanding dosage.
Check safety
Ask about allergy risk, side effects, drowsiness, pregnancy, children, and milder options.
Tôi bị dị ứng Tôi dị ứng thuốc này Tôi bị dị ứng kháng sinh Có tác dụng phụ không? Thuốc này có buồn ngủ không? Tôi đang mang thai Cho trẻ em được không? Có loại nhẹ hơn không?
Allergy phrases are more important than sounding fluent.
Prescription or doctor
Ask whether you need a prescription, over-the-counter medicine, or a doctor.
Use a doctor for serious symptoms, not only pharmacy phrases.
All phrases
Play normal audio first, then slow audio, then save only the phrases you will actually need.
Tôi bị đau đầu
I have a headache
Common symptom.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. bị bi heavy Drop the voice low and short. đau dau level Đ starts like English d; do not say z. đầu dau falling Đ starts like English d; do not say z.
Tôi bị đau bụng
I have a stomachache
Useful after food issues.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. bị bi heavy Drop the voice low and short. đau dau level Đ starts like English d; do not say z. bụng bung heavy Drop the voice low and short.
Tôi bị sốt
I have a fever
Common symptom.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. bị bi heavy Drop the voice low and short. sốt sot rising Lift the voice upward.
Tôi bị ho
I have a cough
Common pharmacy request.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. bị bi heavy Drop the voice low and short. ho ho level Keep the voice steady and level.
Tôi bị cảm
I have a cold
Common illness phrase.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. bị bi heavy Drop the voice low and short. cảm cam dipping Dip slightly, then recover.
Có thuốc nào không?
Is there any medicine?
Ask the pharmacist.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Có co rising Lift the voice upward. thuốc thuoc rising Lift the voice upward. nào nao falling Let the voice fall gently. không khong level Keep the voice steady and level.
Tôi bị dị ứng
I have an allergy
Important health phrase.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. bị bi heavy Drop the voice low and short. dị di heavy Drop the voice low and short. ứng ung rising Lift the voice upward.
Tôi dị ứng thuốc này
I am allergic to this medicine
Important safety phrase.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. dị di heavy Drop the voice low and short. ứng ung rising Lift the voice upward. thuốc thuoc rising Lift the voice upward. này nay falling Let the voice fall gently.
Uống mấy lần một ngày?
How many times a day?
Medication instructions.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Uống uong rising Lift the voice upward. mấy may rising Lift the voice upward. lần lan falling Keep the final n short. một mot heavy Drop the voice low and short. ngày ngay falling Start with the back-of-mouth ng sound.
Uống trước khi ăn
Take before eating
Common instruction to recognize.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Uống uong rising Lift the voice upward. trước truoc rising Lift the voice upward. khi khi level Keep the voice steady and level. ăn an level Keep the final n short.
Uống sau khi ăn
Take after eating
Common instruction to recognize.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Uống uong rising Lift the voice upward. sau sau level Keep the voice steady and level. khi khi level Keep the voice steady and level. ăn an level Keep the final n short.
Có cần đơn không?
Do I need a prescription?
Useful pharmacy question.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Có co rising Lift the voice upward. cần can falling Keep the final n short. đơn don level Đ starts like English d; do not say z. không khong level Keep the voice steady and level.
Tôi bị đau họng
I have a sore throat
Symptom.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. bị bi heavy Drop the voice low and short. đau dau level Đ starts like English d; do not say z. họng hong heavy Drop the voice low and short.
Tôi bị sổ mũi
I have a runny nose
Symptom.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. bị bi heavy Drop the voice low and short. sổ so dipping Dip slightly, then recover. mũi mui broken Use a short broken rise.
Tôi bị tiêu chảy
I have diarrhea
Symptom.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. bị bi heavy Drop the voice low and short. tiêu tieu level Keep the voice steady and level. chảy chay dipping Dip slightly, then recover.
Tôi bị buồn nôn
I feel nauseous
Symptom.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. bị bi heavy Drop the voice low and short. buồn buon falling Keep the final n short. nôn non level Keep the final n short.
Tôi bị mất ngủ
I have insomnia
Symptom.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. bị bi heavy Drop the voice low and short. mất mat rising Lift the voice upward. ngủ ngu dipping Start with the back-of-mouth ng sound.
Từ hôm qua
Since yesterday
Duration.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Từ tu falling Let the voice fall gently. hôm hom level Keep the voice steady and level. qua qua level Qu is closer to kw than English q.
Hai ngày rồi
It has been two days
Duration.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Hai hai level Keep the voice steady and level. ngày ngay falling Start with the back-of-mouth ng sound. rồi roi falling Let the voice fall gently.
Có tác dụng phụ không?
Are there side effects?
Safety question.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Có co rising Lift the voice upward. tác tac rising Lift the voice upward. dụng dung heavy Drop the voice low and short. phụ phu heavy Drop the voice low and short. không khong level Keep the voice steady and level.
Uống bao nhiêu viên?
How many pills should I take?
Dosage.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Uống uong rising Lift the voice upward. bao bao level Keep the voice steady and level. nhiêu nhieu level Keep the voice steady and level. viên vien level Keep the final n short.
Mỗi lần một viên
One pill each time
Recognize dosage instruction.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Mỗi moi broken Use a short broken rise. lần lan falling Keep the final n short. một mot heavy Drop the voice low and short. viên vien level Keep the final n short.
Thuốc này có buồn ngủ không?
Does this medicine cause drowsiness?
Safety question.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Thuốc thuoc rising Lift the voice upward. này nay falling Let the voice fall gently. có co rising Lift the voice upward. buồn buon falling Keep the final n short. ngủ ngu dipping Start with the back-of-mouth ng sound. không khong level Keep the voice steady and level.
Tôi đang mang thai
I am pregnant
Safety phrase.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. đang dang level Đ starts like English d; do not say z. mang mang level Keep the voice steady and level. thai thai level Keep the voice steady and level.
Cho trẻ em được không?
Is it okay for children?
Child caution.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Cho cho level Keep the voice steady and level. trẻ tre dipping Dip slightly, then recover. em em level Keep the voice steady and level. được duoc heavy Đ starts like English d; do not say z. không khong level Keep the voice steady and level.
Có thuốc không cần đơn không?
Is there medicine without prescription?
Prescription question.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Có co rising Lift the voice upward. thuốc thuoc rising Lift the voice upward. không khong level Keep the voice steady and level. cần can falling Keep the final n short. đơn don level Đ starts like English d; do not say z. không khong level Keep the voice steady and level.
Tôi cần gặp bác sĩ không?
Do I need to see a doctor?
Doctor referral.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. cần can falling Keep the final n short. gặp gap heavy Drop the voice low and short. bác bac rising Lift the voice upward. sĩ si broken Use a short broken rise. không khong level Keep the voice steady and level.
Có loại nhẹ hơn không?
Is there a milder one?
Ask for a gentler option.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Có co rising Lift the voice upward. loại loai heavy Drop the voice low and short. nhẹ nhe heavy Drop the voice low and short. hơn hon level Keep the final n short. không khong level Keep the voice steady and level.
Thuốc này dùng sao?
How do I use this medicine?
Usage question.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Thuốc thuoc rising Lift the voice upward. này nay falling Let the voice fall gently. dùng dung falling Let the voice fall gently. sao sao level Keep the voice steady and level.
Tôi bị dị ứng kháng sinh
I am allergic to antibiotics
Safety phrase.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. bị bi heavy Drop the voice low and short. dị di heavy Drop the voice low and short. ứng ung rising Lift the voice upward. kháng khang rising Lift the voice upward. sinh sinh level Keep the voice steady and level.
Tôi cần mua thuốc
I need to buy medicine
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. cần can falling Keep the final n short. mua mua level Keep the voice steady and level. thuốc thuoc rising Lift the voice upward.
Uống hai viên mỗi ngày
Take two pills per day
Viên is a pill/tablet classifier.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Uống uong rising Lift the voice upward. hai hai level Keep the voice steady and level. viên vien level Keep the final n short. mỗi moi broken Use a short broken rise. ngày ngay falling Start with the back-of-mouth ng sound.
Toa thuốc của tôi
My prescription
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Toa toa level Keep the voice steady and level. thuốc thuoc rising Lift the voice upward. của cua dipping Dip slightly, then recover. tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level.
thuốc
medicine
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
thuốc thuoc rising Lift the voice upward.
bác sĩ
doctor
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
bác bac rising Lift the voice upward. sĩ si broken Use a short broken rise.
y tá
nurse
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
y y level Keep the voice steady and level. tá ta rising Lift the voice upward.
bệnh viện
hospital
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
bệnh benh heavy Drop the voice low and short. viện vien heavy Keep the final n short.
phòng khám
clinic
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
phòng phong falling Let the voice fall gently. khám kham rising Lift the voice upward.
toa thuốc
prescription
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
toa toa level Keep the voice steady and level. thuốc thuoc rising Lift the voice upward.
uống thuốc
take medicine
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
uống uong rising Lift the voice upward. thuốc thuoc rising Lift the voice upward.
tiêm
injection or inject
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
tiêm tiem level Keep the voice steady and level.
khỏi bệnh
recover from illness
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
khỏi khoi dipping Dip slightly, then recover. bệnh benh heavy Drop the voice low and short.
Uống thuốc bao nhiêu lần một ngày?
How many times per day should I take the medicine?
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Uống uong rising Lift the voice upward. thuốc thuoc rising Lift the voice upward. bao bao level Keep the voice steady and level. nhiêu nhieu level Keep the voice steady and level. lần lan falling Keep the final n short. một mot heavy Drop the voice low and short. ngày ngay falling Start with the back-of-mouth ng sound.
Mini dialogue
You
Tôi bị đau đầu.
I have a headache.
Pharmacist
Bạn bị từ khi nào?
Since when?
You
Có thuốc nào không?
Is there any medicine?
You
Uống mấy lần một ngày?
How many times a day?
Practice ladder
- 1 Play the first phrase at normal speed once.
- 2 Play it slowly, then repeat it aloud without reading English.
- 3 Cover the Vietnamese and recall it from the situation.
- 4 Save only the phrases you would actually need this week.
- 5 Review saved phrases tomorrow before learning new ones.
Common mistakes
- Do not hide allergies because you are unsure of the grammar.
- Do not leave without understanding dosage; ask Uống mấy lần một ngày?
- Do not use pharmacy phrases for serious symptoms that need a doctor.
Cultural notes
- Vietnamese pharmacies are often direct and practical.
- For serious symptoms, ask for a hospital or doctor instead of only medicine.
Meaning check
Quick practice
You need to know how often to take medicine. What should you ask?
Finish this phrasebook
Ready to mark complete?
Mark complete only after you have listened, practiced, and saved at least one useful phrase. Then continue straight to the next task.
Week 7 · Day 44 in the 90-day path
Listen to at least 3 phrases
Use normal audio first, then slow audio.
Save at least 1 phrase
Only save phrases you would actually reuse.
Finish the quiz or practice task
Check that you can recall the idea, not only read it.
Mark this page complete
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FAQ
How should I practice this phrasebook?
Start with the Learn these first section, listen at normal speed, repeat slowly, then save only the phrases you expect to use.
Do I need to memorize every phrase on this page?
No. Memorize the first urgent or high-frequency phrases, then use scenarios and spaced review to add the rest gradually.