Turkish phrases for the pharmacy

A Turkish pharmacy (eczane, red E sign) is often the first stop for minor problems: pharmacists give advice and sell many medicines that need a prescription elsewhere. In tourist areas they speak some English; in a neighbourhood eczane they may not. These phrases help you explain what is wrong and understand how to take the medicine.

Phrase · Pronunciation · Meaning · ▶ Listen

Explaining the problem

Merhaba, bir ilaç arıyorum.

mer-ha-BA, bir ee-LACH a-ruh-yo-rum

Hello, I'm looking for a medicine.

Başım ağrıyor.

ba-SHUM aa-ruh-yor

I have a headache.

Ateşim var.

a-te-SHIM var

I have a fever.

Midem bulanıyor.

mee-DEM bu-la-nuh-yor

I feel nauseous.

İshalim var.

is-ha-LIM var

I have diarrhoea.

Boğazım ağrıyor.

boh-a-ZUM aa-ruh-yor

I have a sore throat.

Öksürüyorum.

uhk-sü-rü-yo-rum

I have a cough.

Güneş yanığı var.

gü-NESH ya-nuh-uh var

I have sunburn.

Böcek soktu.

buh-JEK sok-TU

An insect stung me.

Üç gündür böyle.

üch gün-DÜR buhy-le

It's been like this for three days.

Asking for medicine

Ağrı kesici var mı?

aa-RUH ke-si-JEE var muh?

Do you have a painkiller?

Reçetesiz alabilir miyim?

re-che-te-SIZ a-la-bi-lir mee-yim?

Can I buy it without a prescription?

Bunun yerine ne var?

bu-NUN ye-ri-NE ne var?

What do you have instead of this? (Show the box or a photo of your usual medicine.)

Penisiline alerjim var.

pe-ni-si-li-NE a-ler-JIM var

I'm allergic to penicillin.

Hamileyim.

ha-mee-LE-yim

I'm pregnant.

Çocuk için.

cho-JUK ee-CHIN

It's for a child.

How to take it

Günde kaç kere?

gün-DE kach ke-RE?

How many times a day?

Yemekten önce mi, sonra mı?

ye-mek-TEN uhn-JE mee, son-RA muh?

Before or after meals?

Kaç gün kullanmalıyım?

kach gün kul-lan-ma-LUH-yum?

For how many days should I take it?

Uyku yapar mı?

uy-KU ya-PAR muh?

Does it make you sleepy?

Yazabilir misiniz?

ya-za-bi-LIR mi-si-niz?

Could you write it down?

If it is serious

Doktora ihtiyacım var.

dok-to-RA ih-tee-ya-JUM var

I need a doctor.

En yakın hastane nerede?

en ya-KUN has-ta-NE ne-re-DE?

Where is the nearest hospital?

Ambulans çağırın!

am-bu-LANS chaa-uh-RUN!

Call an ambulance! (Emergency number in Turkey: 112)

Tips that save the situation

Look for the red sign with a white E — that is an eczane. At night, every pharmacy door shows the nearest 'nöbetçi eczane' (pharmacy on duty).
Show the box of the medicine you normally take: pharmacists can match it by active ingredient even if the brand name is different.
Many medicines are cheaper than in Europe, but antibiotics officially need a prescription.
Turkish stress usually falls on the last syllable — the capital letters in the pronunciation line show where to put it.
Emergency number for ambulance, police and fire in Turkey: 112.

When the phrasebook runs out

A phrasebook covers the first sentence. Then the other person answers — fast, with words that are not on the list. Sabai translates the whole conversation live: you speak, the phone says it in Turkish, the other person replies into the same phone, and you read the answer in your language with a short explanation of what they meant.

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Questions

Can a Turkish pharmacist really replace a doctor?

For minor problems — a cold, an upset stomach, a mild allergy — pharmacists give advice and often sell what you need. For anything serious, go to a hospital or call 112.

How do I say the name of my medicine?

Most pharmacists know international active ingredient names (paracetamol, ibuprofen). Writing the name down or showing the box works better than saying it.

What if I don't understand the pharmacist's explanation?

Ask them to speak into a translator. With Sabai the pharmacist answers into your phone and you read the instructions in your language.

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Updated: 2026-10-12