French · Real conversations
How to say “Do I need a prescription?” in French
Ask a pharmacist whether a medicine requires a prescription.
Il faut une ordonnance ?
Do I need a prescription?
Name or show the medicine so the question is clear.
Use it in three situations
At a pharmacy
Il faut une ordonnance ?
Do I need a prescription?
Checking a medicine
Il faut une ordonnance pour ce médicament ?
Do I need a prescription for this medicine?
Before arranging a purchase
Je peux l'acheter sans ordonnance ?
Can I buy this without a prescription?
What to watch for
A prescription requirement depends on the medicine and location; the phrase does not supply that answer.
Read the whole expression before replacing a detail. The natural wording may use a different order or construction from the English sentence.
Your turn
Imagine appointments and pharmacies. Say this in French: Do I need a prescription for this medicine?
Reveal a sample reply
Il faut une ordonnance pour ce médicament ?
Do I need a prescription for this medicine?
Build a useful exchange
Arrange a visit and clarify medicine instructions.
This expression 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.
