Speak English With Vanessa

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Pharmacy English Vocabulary
Dear English Learner,

Get ready to speak confidently with all the top phrases for daily life English. I recommend
reading these sample sentences out loud, watching the original YouTube lesson here, and using
the blank space on the last page to answer my challenge question using what you’ve learned.
Thanks so much for learning English with me!

Your teacher,
Vanessa

Cosmetics: a product applied to the body to improve its appearance

We are in the cosmetics section.

I always pack a small cosmetics bag when I travel.

Trinkets: a small item that is of little value

You can buy soap, shampoo, really anything you can imagine–little toys and
trinkets.
I like to buy different trinkets from places I visit when I travel.

To be known for: a quality that something is famous for having

In fact, this is something that the US is kinda known for.

This restaurant is known for its grilled steak, so I’m going to order that.

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Stereotype: a popular but oversimplified view or idea of something or someone that
may or may not be true

America is known for having stores that are a “one stop shop.” You can stop at
one place and get everything you need–very convenient and kind of a
stereotype.
It is a stereotype that all Americans are loud and eat a lot of fast food.

On the way: about to arrive, as you are going somewhere

So if you are on the way somewhere, and you realize “Oh! I forgot to bring a
card!” You can just stop into a pharmacy and pick one up.
I need to stop by the store and pick up some groceries on the way home from
work.

Generally, it’s a good idea to: this is a phrase that is a way of giving advice

Generally, it’s a good idea to make an appointment, but you can always drop
in.
Generally, it’s a good idea to drive slower when it is raining or snowing.

To pick up a prescription: to get your medication from the pharmacist

You go to a pharmacy to pick up a prescription.

I am leaving work early because I need to pick up my prescription before the
pharmacy closes.

To evaluate: to assess or determine the quality of something

The doctor has to evaluate if you need that medicine.

We need to evaluate the house before we buy it.

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Preferred pharmacy: a pharmacy that is approved by your healthcare coverage and
that you prefer to use

What is your preferred pharmacy?

That prescription isn’t available at my preferred pharmacy, so I will need to go
to a different location.

I’m here to pick up my prescription. A phrase used to let the pharmacist know that
you have a prescription there and you need to pick it up

When you get to the pharmacy, you would say “I’m here to pick up my
prescription.”
Hi, I’m here to pick up my prescription. My name is Vanessa, last name
Prothe.

To ask for some advice: to request information or opinion from someone

It is possible that you could ask the pharmacist for some advice.
My sister is someone that I can always ask for some advice.

Do you have any recommendations? A question to ask someone when you want their
advice or opinion on something

Do you have any recommendations about which medicine I should take?

I’ve never been to this restaurant before, do you have any recommendations
on what to order?

Over-the-counter: available to buy without a prescription

You can get allergy medicine over-the-counter.
When I start feeling sick, I buy over-the-counter medicine from the pharmacy.

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Paternity testing kits: a test that can help identify a person’s biological father

Paternity testing kits–I didn’t even know you could get that here!
She looks just like her father. There’s no need for a paternity testing kit there!

I didn’t even know: a phrase used to emphasize that you are surprised to learn
something

I didn’t even know you could get that here!

He ordered the whole meal in French. I didn’t even know he could speak
French!

Feel free: don’t hesitate or be shy about doing something

To ask for clarification: to ask questions in order to better understand something

Feel free to ask for clarification if you’re not sure.

Feel free to make yourself at home here!
I asked my boss for clarification on the project that she assigned to me.

Dry goods: grocery items that do not contain liquids, or clothing items
If you need to buy any dry goods, you can get them here.
He built a family business selling dry goods.

Grab-and-go-snacks: snacks that are individually packaged and easy to take away

These types of things are grab-and-go-snacks: pistachios, chocolate covered

almonds.
My favorite grab-and-go snacks are sweet and salty things, like nuts with
chocolate–yum!

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State by state: each individual state may operate differently or have different laws

It might be state by state–different states have different rules.

The laws on selling alcohol vary state by state, so what is legal in one state
might not be legal in another state.

Now I must say that: another way of saying “I have to admit” or “I need to tell you”

Now I must say that oftentimes pharmacies in the US are gonna be more
expensive than going to somewhere like Wal-Mart or purchasing something
online if you have that option.
Now I must say that even though that movie had terrible reviews online, I
thought it was really good.

If I remember right: when you think you remember something, but you aren’t sure

If I remember right, this pharmacy has a couple of checkout options.

If I remember right, my grandpa had a dog named Scruffy when he was a little
boy.

You can even: a phrase used when you are surprised about something

You can even get stuff for your car!

This store has everything–food, clothes, you can even get tires for your car!

Self-checkout: in a store, the option to scan and purchase your own items without a
cashier

I’m going to use the self-checkout.

If I only have a few items, I like to use the self-checkout because it is usually
faster than waiting in line for a cashier.

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Passport photos: a photograph that is required for a passport and many other legal
documents or licenses

If you need to get official passport photos, a pharmacy is where you should go!
I need to get a new passport photo taken, this one is over ten years old.

Pin pad: part of an electronic device used when making a purchase using a bank or
credit card

Read the instructions on the pin pad.

When you enter your information on the pin pad, make sure no one is looking
over your shoulder!

I just wanna let you know that: a phrase used when you want to emphasize or point
something out
ATM: Automated Teller Machines; machines that read a credit or debit card and give
you cash in return
CVS: Consumer Value Stores; a brand of pharmacy in the US

I just wanna let you know that there also is an ATM at a lot of CVSs.
I just wanna let you know that the restaurant is closing in an hour.

Cash back: an option to receive cash back on a purchase in a store when using a bank
card

You can choose “cash back.”

If you need cash and there isn’t an ATM nearby, purchase an inexpensive item,
pay with your bank card, and select “cash back”.

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You’re welcome to: to encourage or invite someone to do something

You’re welcome to go to the counter and buy something small, buy a little candy
bar or some gum, and then ask for some cash back.
The boss is still in a meeting, but you’re welcome to wait here until she comes
back.

A blast from the past: to fondly remember someone or something from long ago

It’s kind of a blast from the past, I don’t know how many people actually use
these.
These cartoons are a blast from the past–I watched them when I was growing
up and now my kids are watching them!

Go for it: a casual phrase used to encourage or invite someone to do something

If you need a DVD, go for it.

“Do you mind if I go for a ride on your new bike?” –“Go for it, have fun!”

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 Vanessa’s Challenge Question
Use the space below to write a few sentences answering this question: Describe what it is like
going to the pharmacy in your country. Are there a lot of items like in the US, or is it
mostly medicine?

Sample answer: In my country, pharmacies mostly have medicine, but they also have a lot of
cosmetic items like sunscreen and lotions. They don’t typically sell food and they definitely don’t
sell things to clean your house. One interesting thing about pharmacies in my country is that
they sell more traditional or herbal remedies as well as medicine. Sometimes if I feel like I am
starting to get sick, I will try the traditional or herbal remedies first. If it doesn’t work, I will go
back to the pharmacy to get medicine. It is really convenient having both options in one place!

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