00:00
Support comes from WISE, the smart way to sendmoney around the world.
Your life is global. Your money should be too.Some providers promise no fees on overseas
transfers, but extra costs often hide in bloatedexchange rates. Choose WISE. You can send money
overseas for education or spend in over 40currencies while traveling. Get the exchange
rate that you'd usually see on Google. Plus counton 24-7 customer support. Be smart. Get WISE.
Visit WISE.com. T's and C's apply.
The pharmacist hands you a bag. They say somethingabout dosage. You nod.
But you are not sure what you just agreed to. Theinstructions on the box are small,
the words are technical, and the person behind thecounter is already looking at the next customer.
This happens to almost everyone, and today we aregoing to fix it.
Welcome to your English Toolbox. I am Miranda.
This is the Basic Survival Kit, a slow Englishseries designed for one specific person.
You live in an English-speaking country, or youare planning to.
Your English is not perfect, but your healthcannot wait for perfect.
Every episode gives you the exact words you needfor one real situation. No grammar,
no pressure, just the sentences that actuallywork.
This episode is your survival kit for thepharmacy.
Want to take your learning even further? Find yourEnglish Toolbox on YouTube to watch every
episode with subtitles. It is the best way tosupport this project, and we truly appreciate it.
Today's situation. You are at the pharmacy. Itcould be collecting a prescription,
asking about side effects, or simply trying tounderstand how many tablets to take and when.
The problem with pharmacy English is thevocabulary.
Words like dosage, contraindication, prescriptiononly, these are not everyday words.
But the sentences you need are simple.
Here are your five sentences for this situation.
Listen carefully, and then repeat each one outloud.
Sentence 1.
Could you explain how to take this, please?
Simple, direct, and it works in every pharmacy inthe English-speaking world.
This sentence gives the pharmacist permission toslow down
and explain everything from the beginning.
You are not asking a stupid question.
You are asking the most important question.
03:00
Sentence 2.
How many times a day should I take this?
Once a day.
Twice a day.
Every eight hours.
These are the answers you need, and this sentencegets them.
Always ask this, even if you think you understood.
Confirmation saves mistakes.
Sentence 3.
Are there any side effects I should know about?
This is the question most people are too nervousto ask.
But pharmacists expect it.
They are trained for it.
A good pharmacist will never make you feel smallfor asking.
And the information they give you could matter agreat deal.
Sentence 4.
Do I need to take this with food?
Some medications must be taken with food.
Others must not.
Getting this wrong can reduce the effect or causediscomfort.
Three seconds to ask.
Potentially days of difference in how you feel.
Sentence 5.
Is this available without a prescription?
Sometimes you do not have a doctor's note.
Sometimes you need something quickly.
This sentence opens that conversationprofessionally and clearly.
The pharmacist will tell you exactly what youroptions are.
Now the rescue sentence.
This is the single phrase that works wheneverything else disappears from your mind.
Write this one down.
Can you explain how to take this, please?
My English is still developing.
Say it again, out loud, right now.
Can you explain how to take this, please?
My English is still developing.
That sentence does something powerful.
It asks for the most important information.
And it tells the pharmacist to slow down and bepatient.
Every pharmacist in the world will respond withkindness to that sentence.
Every single one.
Let me tell you about Priya.
Priya moved from Mumbai to Edinburgh 18 monthsago.
Her doctor prescribed something for her bloodpressure.
She collected it from the pharmacy, nodded ateverything the pharmacist said, and went home.
That night, she took the tablet with a glass oforange juice.
The instructions said, avoid citrus.
She did not know that word.
She was fine, but it could have been different.
The next time, she used sentence three.
Are there any side effects I should know about?
The pharmacist spent four minutes explainingeverything.
06:02
Priya told me afterwards, I felt like a patient,not a problem.
The right words give you back your dignity.
Let's close with what you have today.
1. Could you explain how to take this, please?
2. How many times a day should I take this?
3. Are there any side effects I should know about?
4. Do I need to take this with food?
5. Is this available without a prescription?
And your rescue sentence.
Can you explain how to take this, please?
My English is still developing.
You are not someone who leaves the pharmacy hopingfor the best.
You are someone who asks the right questions andgets the right answers.
That is a completely different person.
And that person is you, starting today.
If you made it this far, you are truly committedto your English.
Please head over to YouTube, search for YourEnglish Toolbox, and subscribe.
Your support there means the world to us and keepsthis podcast growing.
I am Miranda, and I will see you in the next one.
