After the doctor has examined you and written a prescription, the next step is getting your medicine. For many learners, this is the most confusing part of the whole visit. Pharmacy counters in Chinese hospitals are busy and fast-paced, and the instructions you receive are full of specific medical vocabulary. This guide will walk you through what to expect and the key phrases you need to understand. Once you have your 处方 (chǔfāng) — prescription — you will usually take it to the 收费处 (shōufèi chù) — payment counter — first to pay. After paying, you go to the 药房 (yàofáng) — pharmacy — to collect your medicine. In larger hospitals, there are multiple pharmacy windows, and your receipt will tell you which window number to go to. Wait for your name or number to be called, then hand over your receipt. When the pharmacist hands you the medicine, they will usually explain how to take it. This is the moment you need to listen carefully. The most important words to listen for are 饭前 (fàn qián) — before meals — and 饭后 (fàn hòu) — after meals. Most Chinese medicines are meant to be taken after eating to avoid stomach upset. They will also tell you the dosage. Common phrases include: 一天三次 (yī tiān sān cì) — three times a day 一次两片 (yī cì liǎng piàn) — two pills each time 一次一袋 (yī cì yī dài) — one sachet each time 温水送服 (wēn shuǐ sòng fú) — take with warm water A very common type of medicine in China is 颗粒 (kēlì) — granules — small packets of powdered medicine that you dissolve in warm water and drink. These are especially common for colds, flu and stomach problems. If you see small paper or plastic sachets, that is probably what they are. If you are unsure about anything, it is perfectly fine to ask. Useful questions: 这个药怎么吃？ (Zhège yào zěnme chī?) — How do I take this medicine? 一天吃几次？ (Yī tiān chī jǐ cì?) — How many times a day? 饭前吃还是饭后吃？ (Fàn qián chī háishì fàn hòu chī?) — Before or after meals? 有什么需要注意的吗？ (Yǒu shénme xūyào zhùyì de ma?) — Is there anything I should be careful about? The pharmacist may also warn you about 忌口 (jìkǒu) — dietary restrictions. It is very common for Chinese doctors to tell patients to avoid spicy food, cold drinks, alcohol and seafood while taking medicine. This advice comes from traditional Chinese medicine ideas about balancing the body during illness. If you do not get better after a few days, you may need a 复诊 (fùzhěn) — follow-up visit. You can go back to the same hospital and register again, mentioning that you are coming back for a follow-up. For mild illnesses like colds, most people just go to a local 诊所 (zhěnsuǒ) — clinic — instead of a big hospital, which is faster and cheaper. |
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