Textbook감기에 좋은 약을 주십시오gam-gi-e joh-eun yak-eul ju-sip-si-oPlease give me good medicine for a cold
Real감기 기운이 있는데, 약 좀 주세요gam-gi gi-un-i it-neun-de, yak jom ju-se-yoI think I'm getting a cold — can I get some medicine?🏷️ Any casual setting
감기 기운 = early signs of a cold. Korean pharmacists (약사님) are incredibly knowledgeable — describe your symptoms and they'll recommend the right medicine. You don't need to know medicine names.
Pharmacy essentials
Common pharmacy requests
머리가 아픈데 타이레놀 있어요?I have a headache — do you have Tylenol?
속이 안 좋은데요My stomach isn't feeling good...
이거 처방전 없이 살 수 있어요?Can I buy this without a prescription?
졸리지 않은 감기약 있어요?Do you have cold medicine that won't make me drowsy?
이거 어떻게 먹어요?How do I take this?
Korean pharmacies divide medicine into 처방전 약 (prescription) and 일반의약품 (OTC). Many things that need prescriptions in other countries are OTC in Korea.
Korean pharmacy hack: say your symptoms, not the medicine name. 약사님, 콧물이 나고 목이 아파요 (pharmacist, I have a runny nose and sore throat). They'll pick the perfect combo. It's basically a free mini consultation. Also: 편의점 (convenience stores) sell basic medicine like band-aids and digestive pills too.
Quick Quiz