French · Real conversations
Appointments and pharmacies: French conversation practice
Arrange a visit and clarify medicine instructions. Read the exchange, reveal the translations when you need them, then try your part before looking at the sample answers.
A2 · Read and rehearse
Your role: A customer checking an appointment and pharmacy instructions.
Goal: Arrange a visit and clarify medicine instructions.
Read the conversation
Partner
Bonjour. Vous voulez des renseignements sur ce médicament ?
Show English translation
Hello. Are you asking about this medicine?
You
Il faut une ordonnance ?
Show English translation
Do I need a prescription?
Partner
Oui, une ordonnance est nécessaire. Le pharmacien peut expliquer l'étiquette.
Show English translation
Yes, a prescription is required. The pharmacist can explain the label.
You
À quelle fréquence dois-je le prendre ?
Show English translation
How often should I take it?
Partner
Suivez l'étiquette et vérifiez avec le pharmacien. Vous pouvez aussi consulter à la clinique.
Show English translation
Please follow the label and check with the pharmacist. The clinic can also see you.
You
Je voudrais prendre rendez-vous.
Show English translation
I'd like to make an appointment.
Partner
Je peux vous aider. Quel jour vous conviendrait ?
Show English translation
I can help with that. Which day would suit you?
You
Il reste une place aujourd'hui ?
Show English translation
Is there anything available today?
Partner
Vérifions les rendez-vous d'aujourd'hui. Depuis combien de temps avez-vous ce problème ?
Show English translation
Let's check today's schedule. How long have you had this problem?
You
J'ai ça depuis trois jours.
Show English translation
I've had this for three days.
Try your part first
Partner says: Hello. Are you asking about this medicine? Your goal: Do I need a prescription?
Reveal a sample reply
Il faut une ordonnance ?
Do I need a prescription?
Partner says: Yes, a prescription is required. The pharmacist can explain the label. Your goal: How often should I take it?
Reveal a sample reply
À quelle fréquence dois-je le prendre ?
How often should I take it?
Partner says: Please follow the label and check with the pharmacist. The clinic can also see you. Your goal: I'd like to make an appointment.
Reveal a sample reply
Je voudrais prendre rendez-vous.
I'd like to make an appointment.
Partner says: I can help with that. Which day would suit you? Your goal: Is there anything available today?
Reveal a sample reply
Il reste une place aujourd'hui ?
Is there anything available today?
Partner says: Let's check today's schedule. How long have you had this problem? Your goal: I've had this for three days.
Reveal a sample reply
J'ai ça depuis trois jours.
I've had this for three days.
Make it your own
- Request a different appointment day.
- Ask the pharmacist to repeat the label instructions.
- Describe a different duration of symptoms.
Keep the useful expression and change the detail. There can be several appropriate answers; the revealed replies are examples to learn from.
This rehearsal in other languages
A note on speaking French
Use vous with strangers, staff, and people you address formally; use tu when that relationship is established. Je voudrais and pourriez-vous can make a request considerate. The most appropriate choice depends on the person and the situation.
Keep accents and apostrophes. A familiar spoken expression may differ from its literal English translation. Read the complete line, including the pronoun and the words that connect the request.
