Pharmacy & Health

1. Ị nwere ọgwụ isi ọwụwa?

   Do you have headache medicine?

   Usage

   Ask for headache medicine at a pharmacy in Nigeria

   Grammar Note

   Igbo is a Niger-Congo tonal language. The dotted letters (ọ, ụ) indicate specific vowel sounds

2. Achọrọ m ọgwụ afọ

   I need stomach medicine

   Usage

   Use when you need stomach medicine

   Grammar Note

   "Achọrọ m" expresses "I need" in Igbo. Verbs often precede the subject in Igbo

3. Achọrọ m ọgwụ afọọsịsa

   I need anti-diarrhea medicine

   Usage

   Ask for anti-diarrhea medicine

   Grammar Note

   "Afọọsịsa" is the Igbo word for diarrhea (the same word as in "Enwere m afọọsịsa", "I have diarrhea")

4. Ahụ ọkụ na-adị m

   I have a fever

   Usage

   Tell the pharmacist you have a fever

   Grammar Note

   "Ahụ ọkụ" (body + hot) means fever. "Na-adị m" (is on me) is the pattern for saying how your body feels.

5. Nwere m allerji

   I have an allergy

   Usage

   Inform the pharmacist about your allergy

   Grammar Note

   "Allerji" is borrowed from English "allergy". "Nwere m" expresses possession in Igbo

6. Achọrọ m bandeeji

   I need bandages/plasters

   Usage

   Ask for bandages or plasters at a pharmacy

   Grammar Note

   "Bandeeji" is the Igbo adaptation of English "bandage"

7. Achọrọ m ọgwụ mgbochi umu

   I need insect repellent

   Usage

   Ask for insect repellent at a pharmacy

   Grammar Note

   "Ọgwụ mgbochi umu" (medicine to prevent mosquitoes) is used here for insect repellent; "umu" is mosquito

8. Achọrọ m ihe nchedo n'anyanwụ

   I need sunscreen

   Usage

   Ask for sunscreen at a pharmacy

   Grammar Note

   "Ihe nchedo n'anyanwụ" means "thing that protects from the sun" = sunscreen

9. Kedu otu esi ata ọgwụ a?

   How do I take this medicine?

   Usage

   Ask the pharmacist how to take the medicine

   Grammar Note

   "Kedu otu" means "how" in Igbo. "Ata" (eat) is also used for taking medicine

10. Ọ dị mkpa iji akwụkwọ dọkịta?

    Do I need a prescription?

    Usage

    Check if a prescription is needed

    Grammar Note

    "Akwụkwọ dọkịta" (doctor's paper) is the Igbo expression for prescription

11. Ọgwụ mgbu

    Painkiller

    Usage

    Ask a pharmacy for painkillers — point at the sore spot as you show it

12. Ọgwụ ụkwara

    Cough medicine

    Usage

    For asking for cough medicine — literally "cough medicine"

13. Ọgwụ anya

    Eye drops

    Usage

    For itchy or red eyes — literally "eye medicine"

14. Ọgwụ ahụ ọkụ

    Fever medicine

    Usage

    For asking for something to bring a temperature down

15. Kọndọm

    Condom

    Usage

    At a pharmacy or kiosk — showing the screen saves you saying it out loud

16. Biko, nye m ọgwụafọ

    A laxative, please

    Usage

    Ask for a laxative at a pharmacy.

    Grammar Note

    "Ọgwụafọ" is a compound of ọgwụ (medicine) + afọ (belly).

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