Italian · Real conversations
Appointments and pharmacies: Italian 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
Buongiorno. Vuole informazioni su questa medicina?
Show English translation
Hello. Are you asking about this medicine?
You
Serve la ricetta?
Show English translation
Do I need a prescription?
Partner
Sì, serve la ricetta. Il farmacista può spiegare l'etichetta.
Show English translation
Yes, a prescription is required. The pharmacist can explain the label.
You
Ogni quanto devo prenderlo?
Show English translation
How often should I take it?
Partner
Segua l'etichetta e chieda al farmacista. Può anche farsi visitare in ambulatorio.
Show English translation
Please follow the label and check with the pharmacist. The clinic can also see you.
You
Vorrei prendere un appuntamento.
Show English translation
I'd like to make an appointment.
Partner
Posso aiutarla. Quale giorno le andrebbe bene?
Show English translation
I can help with that. Which day would suit you?
You
C'è qualche posto libero oggi?
Show English translation
Is there anything available today?
Partner
Controlliamo gli appuntamenti di oggi. Da quanto tempo ha questo problema?
Show English translation
Let's check today's schedule. How long have you had this problem?
You
Ce l'ho da tre giorni.
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
Serve la ricetta?
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
Ogni quanto devo prenderlo?
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
Vorrei prendere un appuntamento.
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
C'è qualche posto libero oggi?
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
Ce l'ho da tre giorni.
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 Italian
Use tu with friends and Lei with someone you address formally. A request with vorrei or potrebbe can soften the tone; it still helps to say what you need clearly. The examples label the situation so you can choose the appropriate relationship.
Read doubled consonants distinctly and keep the written accents. The English translation explains the intended message; Italian often chooses a different construction rather than matching each English word.
